Apparatus and method for switching an optical path
US6678438B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3546
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for switching one or more optical paths comprises one or more inputs and one or more outputs arranged with one or more free-space optical paths formed therebetween, and one or more prisms movable to the free-space optical paths being inserted into or removed from the free-space optical paths to control the propagation paths of one or more light beams between the inputs and outputs. When the prism is inserted into the free-space optical path, a switched optical path between the inputs and outputs is formed to direct the light beam with two refraction and one total reflection by the prism. When the prism is removed from the free-space optical path, the light beam propagates along the free-space optical path.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.