Optical circuit switch with integral circulators
US9366824B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3584
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Optical circuit switches and switching methods are described. An optical circulator may form a first plurality of bidirectional optical beams from a first plurality of input optical beams and a corresponding first plurality of output optical beams. Each bidirectional optical beam may consist of the corresponding input optical beam and the corresponding output optical beam overlaid to follow, in opposing directions, a common optical path. A mirror array may be disposed to reflect the first plurality of bidirectional optical beams. A reflector may be disposed to intercept bidirectional optical beams reflected from the mirror array and to reflect at least some of the intercepted bidirectional optical beams back to the mirror array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.