Patent · US Expired

Wavelength selective optical switch

US6320996A · kind A · utility

55Cited by
23References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 28, 1999
Grant dateNov 20, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 28, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04Q2011/0049
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An optical switch for manipulating a plurality of input optical signals incident thereupon to split one or more optical signal channels from the plurality of input optical signals. The optical switch includes an optical filter having a first reflective region and a second reflective region. One of the first and the second reflective regions is adapted with a wavelength selective filter that is capable of separating one or more optical signal channels from the input optical signal. A translating mechanism cooperates with the optical filter and is adapted to translate the optical filter in a plane substantially parallel to one of the first reflective region and the second reflective region between a first position and a second position. The translation of the optical filter causes at least one of the one or more optical signal channels to be separated from the optical signal and directed in a second direction. Additionally, another of the one or more optical signal channels to be separated from the optical signal can be directed in a third direction.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.