M×N optical switch with improved stability
US6574385B2 · kind B2 · utility
4Cited by
6References
5Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/359
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Optic switches manipulate an optical signal that has been expanded by a collimating lens. Switching is effected by introducing a prism between collimating lenses to redirect the optical signal to an alternative lens. The prism preferably has a cross-section defining a parallelogram, so that the optical signal is reflected twice within the prism to minimize cross-sectional distortion and avoid spectral effects. A circuit provides feedback on the actual position of the relay and prism for fault detection and diagnosis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.