Method and apparatus for indirect adjustment of optical switch reflectors
US6819815B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4246
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical switch embodiment includes a switching array of arranged to accomplish switching of input light beams to any of a plurality of output channels and an array of beam monitoring elements for indirectly measuring and providing information used for adjusting output beams. The beam monitoring element further includes means for measuring the angular misalignment and the positional misalignment of a monitor beam and adjusting the reflectors based on monitor beam information such that optical beams are output from the switch having the desired optical characteristics, such as optimized power. Another optical switch embodiment includes an array of rhomboid prism assemblies positioned to receive the output beams from the switching array and such that the beams are split into substantially parallel working and monitor beams. Whereby the working beams pass into the plurality of output channels and the monitor beams pass into the plurality of beam monitoring elements where they are measured to provide information for adjusting the angular misalignment and the positional misalignment of the working beam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.