Optical steering element and method
US7239774B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/29397
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A 1×N wavelength selective switch which can function as a dynamic channel equalizer when N=1. In an exemplary arrangement, the present invention is a free-space device that includes a linear array of micromachined reflective elements for beam steering of individual wavelength channels. In at least some embodiments the array of reflective elements of the present invention provides a substantially seamless design such that the optical spectrum appears flat across the transition between actuators. Various embodiments provide high channel bandwidth with flat-top channel performance, low polarization dependence loss, low vibration sensitivity, extinction ratios greater than 40 dB over all temperatures, and very low levels of electrical and optical channel cross-talk.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.