Reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers employing polarization diversity
US6760511B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 5, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3592
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the invention may further employ a polarization diversity scheme, whereby polarization-sensitive effects become inconsequential and insertion loss is minimized. The WSR apparatus of the invention may additionally be equipped with servo-control and channel equalization capabilities. The WSR apparatus of the invention can be used to construct a novel class of dynamically reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (OADMs) for WDM optical networking applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.