Micromirror optical switch
US6633694B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 26, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S359/904
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A family of optical switches. Each switch (400) includes a holder block (402) to hold optical fibers (410, 412) and ferrules (414) in alignment with a micromirror array (406). The holder block 402 has a reflective bottom surface (404). The bottom surface (404) functions as a retro-reflector when the optical switch (400) is assembled. The micromirror array (406) has a substrate on which rows of micromirrors have been fabricated. The ferrules (414) are held at an angle relative to the micromirror array (406). This angle allows the light emitted from the input fiber (410) to traverse the array of micromirrors (406) to the output fiber (412). Light from the input fiber (410) is reflected between a series of mirrors (408) and the retro-reflective surface (404) until reaching the output fiber (412). The rotation of the mirrors determines the path of light across the mirror array (406) and which output fiber (412) the light reaches.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.