Optical switch with an array of offset angled micro-mirrors
US6628857B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/357
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical network element uses steerable mirrors in an optical switch to couple optical inputs and optical outputs. An optical switch has at least one array of the steerable mirrors, which can be oriented so as to reflect an optical signal between an input and an output. A shorter optical path between the input and the output reduces optical losses because optical losses in an optical switch using mirrors are directly proportional to the total length of the optical path. Reducing the optical path depends upon the switching tilt angle used in steering the mirrors. But tilting the micro-mirrors near their critical tilt angle or repeatedly across large tilt angles will degrade reliability or control. However, the total optical path can be shortened and the reliability of steerable mirrors can be maintained or increased if at least some of the micro-mirrors in an array are offset angled.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.