Optical switches and routers and optical filters
US7466883B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 2006 |
| Grant date | Dec 16, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/15
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Our invention relates generally to an optical switch (31) and an optical router (10) to rapidly route signals from particular channels (22, 24) within an optical band by using optical switches (20) which utilize a controlled whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonance of dielectric microspheres (S1, S2, S3) to optically switch signals. Another invention relates to optical filters which use a WGM resonate structure (150) to isolate and switch specific optical signals between waveguides (F1, F2). In other inventions, the filter (100) is switched “on/off” by signal loss within a WGM resonate structure (150) which disrupts the WGM resonance; the filter (100) isolates and switches a specific wavelength signal from among a group of signals of different wavelengths; and is switched “off” by adjusting the index of refraction of the resonate structure to become substantially similar to the index of refraction of the surrounding medium.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.