Low loss wavelength selective optical switch
US6434287B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/02176
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fast acting, low insertion loss switch for use in an optical fiber communication system includes a small diameter waist region incorporating a Bragg grating which is precisely tuned by tensioning to be reflective at a selective wavelength band. By a small physical shift of the waist, as by lateral displacement of an attached small magnetic element with a magnetic field, the periodicity of the grating is varied so that the selected wavelength is passed through the waist with virtually no loss. The incremental motion required can be introduced by a variety of devices, selected in accordance with cost, size and response time requirements. Modules having a number of such switches in close juxtaposition offer distinct advantages for wavelength division multiplexed systems.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.