MEMS see-saw array for dynamic gain equalization of DWDM systems
US6556766B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 26, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/266
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A dynamic gain equalizer (DGE) includes: a mirror; an electrode; and a lever with a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, where the lever is capable of rotating about a fulcrum, where the lever rotates the first end toward the electrode when the electrode is charged such that the second end blocks a portion of a channel from reaching the mirror, where an unblocked portion of the channel is reflected by the mirror. By manipulating the charge on the electrode, the rotation of the lever is controlled, determining how much of the light is blocked by the lever. Each lever in an array can attenuate a channel or a group of channels of a composite optical signal by a different amount. The DGE provides a significant range of blockage and can be closely spaced. It provides ease in integrating channel monitoring into the DGE.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.