Beam steering element with built-in detector and system for use thereof
US7953306B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 8, 2010 |
| Grant date | May 31, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 8, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B26/0841
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An all-optical cross-connect switching system provides optical switching that may reduce processing requirements by three orders of magnitude over conventional techniques by associating at least one optical detector with an optical beam steering element. In one embodiment, a first beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a first optical fiber array, and a second beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a second optical fiber array, are optically arranged to direct an optical beam from a first optical fiber in the first optical fiber array to a second optical fiber in the second optical fiber array. The optical detector provides information about a first position of the optical beam on the second beam steering element. Based on this information, the angle of the first beam steering element may be adjusted to cause the optical beam to change to a second position on the second beam steering element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.