CA2221200A1 - Reflective optical switch - Google Patents
Reflective optical switch Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2221200A1 CA2221200A1 CA002221200A CA2221200A CA2221200A1 CA 2221200 A1 CA2221200 A1 CA 2221200A1 CA 002221200 A CA002221200 A CA 002221200A CA 2221200 A CA2221200 A CA 2221200A CA 2221200 A1 CA2221200 A1 CA 2221200A1
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- Prior art keywords
- light
- block
- interfaces
- switch
- input port
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- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B26/00—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements
- G02B26/004—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements based on a displacement or a deformation of a fluid
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
- G02B6/3538—Optical coupling means having switching means based on displacement or deformation of a liquid
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
- G02B6/351—Optical coupling means having switching means involving stationary waveguides with moving interposed optical elements
- G02B6/3522—Optical coupling means having switching means involving stationary waveguides with moving interposed optical elements the optical element enabling or impairing total internal reflection
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
- G02B6/354—Switching arrangements, i.e. number of input/output ports and interconnection types
- G02B6/3554—3D constellations, i.e. with switching elements and switched beams located in a volume
- G02B6/3556—NxM switch, i.e. regular arrays of switches elements of matrix type constellation
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
- G02B6/354—Switching arrangements, i.e. number of input/output ports and interconnection types
- G02B6/356—Switching arrangements, i.e. number of input/output ports and interconnection types in an optical cross-connect device, e.g. routing and switching aspects of interconnecting different paths propagating different wavelengths to (re)configure the various input and output links
Abstract
A binary 1xn optical deflection switch has one input port, n two state switchable devices and 2n output ports. A switching mechanism is provided wherein a path length between two adjacent reflective surfaces can be varied by effectively moving a reflective surface.
This is achieved by providing a first air glass interface (reflection means) where total internal reflection will occur, and having the capability of selectively providing a second glass block coupled to the first air glass interface to provide a new distant air glass interface at a distance from the first one equivalent to the thickness of the second glass block. When the second air glass interface is provided, the first air glass interface no longer exists and incident light follows a second path. When the second glass block is lifted off, the first air glass interface is once again present and a beam of light then follows a first path, reflecting off of the first air glass interface. Therefore by effectively moving the refection means, a beam of light is steered along different paths to selected output ports.
This is achieved by providing a first air glass interface (reflection means) where total internal reflection will occur, and having the capability of selectively providing a second glass block coupled to the first air glass interface to provide a new distant air glass interface at a distance from the first one equivalent to the thickness of the second glass block. When the second air glass interface is provided, the first air glass interface no longer exists and incident light follows a second path. When the second glass block is lifted off, the first air glass interface is once again present and a beam of light then follows a first path, reflecting off of the first air glass interface. Therefore by effectively moving the refection means, a beam of light is steered along different paths to selected output ports.
Description
DocNo. 10-90 Patent Reflective Optical Switch Field of the Invention This invention relates to optical switches and in particular, to an activation 5 mechanism for an optical switch.
Background of the Invention In evolving optical communication networks, the need often arises to switch an optical signal from one path to another, be it along a waveguide or in free space. For 0 example, in a network which consists of a number of communication nodes connected sequentially to form a ring, it may be required to temporarily remove one or more nodes from the network. Therefore the optical waveguides, for example in the form of optical fibres interconnecting the network must be able to "switch" the node(s) from an active (transmit/receive) state to a passive (bypass) state. Many arrangements exist in the art for 5 providing this type of switching. These arrangements may generally be classified into two groups: (1) moving beam switches (arrangements which redirect the optical signal path between stationary waveguides, and (2) moving fibre switches (designs which use external force to physically change the location of optical fibres entering and exiting the node). The activation mechanism of the present invention is used with the switches of the 20 former design.
An exemplary optical fibre switch that utilizes a moving mirror to perform the switching function is disclosed by Levinson in United States patent number 4,580,873 issued April 8, 1986 which is incorporated herein by reference. Although this invention appears to adequately perform its intended function, it is believed too costly and somewhat complex.
Another switch of the former design is disclosed by Benzoni in United States Patent 5,042,889 and assigned to AT&T Bell Laboratories and issued in 1991. Benzoni's invention relates to an activation mechanism for moving a reflective element in or out of the path of a beam of light, to allow light to be either transmitted in a first position or reflected in a second position. Although Benzoni' s design may perform its intended 30 function, there is a need for an inexpensive optical switch that will allow light to be transmitted to one of a plurality of different positions. For example, Levinson's matrix Doc No. 10-90 Patent switch which provides the required functionality of allowing light to be controllably transmitted to one of a plurality of destinations requires nxm collim~ting lenses coupled to input/output fibers to collimate and focus light received from input fibers and destined for output fibers respectively. Aside from the cost of providing lenses, these lenses 5 provide a collim~ting beam having a diameter of about 500 ~m. Each of the lenses occupy a space of approximately 2 mm; thus, the minimum size, for example, of a 32 channel nxm switch is about 6 cm or more. Fabricating a large sized monolithic device is not practicable using a single monolithic silicone substrate. Furthermore, by providing a large diameter collimated beam, the size of a movable mirror deflecting the beam is o required to at least be large enough to intercept the entire beam. Such large mirrors are costly, and moving a larger mirror in and out of the path of the beam requires more energy and is more difficult. Thus, it is believed that Levinson's device is not well suited to nxm applications having many input and output optical fibers. Benzoini's mechanism on the other hand, provides limited functionality.
It is therefore an object of this invention, to provide a deflection switch that may be configured as a lxn switch or alternatively as an nxm switch that is easier to manufacture than many of its predecessors and which is relatively inexpensive to produce.
20 Summary of the Invention In accordance with the invention, there is provided, a binary optical deflection switch comprising a light tr~n~mi~ive material having an input port, n switchable means for varying n locations wherein total internal reflection occurs, said switch having 2n 25 selectable output ports.
In accordance with the invention there is further provided, an optical deflection switch comprising:
a light transmissive material having an input port and having a plurality of sequential 30 reflection means disposed to receive light launched into the input port and to reflect the Doc No. 10-90 Patent light to a next sequential reflection means so that a beam launched in the input port follows one of a plurality of selectable paths to one of a plurality of output ports; and means for varying the optical path length between at least two sequential reflection means.
In accordance with the invention, there is yet further provided, an optical switch comprising: a light transmissive block of material having at least first second and third surfaces, the second surface being disposed at a location that will allow a beam of light incident upon the first surface at a first predetermined angle, to reflect to the second o surface when the first surface is in a reflecting mode, the third surface being disposed at a location that will allow the beam of light incident upon the second surface, to reflect to the third surface when the second surface is in a reflecting mode;
first means movable into a first position with the first surface of the light transmissive block to allow light to pass therethrough into the first means through the light5 tr~n~mi~sive block and to be reflected by a surface of the first means toward the second surface and movable into a second position so that incident light is reflected off of the first surface and substantially does not pass through the first means;
second means movable into a first position with the second surface of the light transmissive block to allow light to pass therethrough into the second means through the 20 light transmissive block, and movable into a second position so that incident light is reflected off of the second surface and substantially does not pass through the second means; and, third means movable into a first position with the third surface of the light transmissive block to allow light to pass therethrough into the third means through the light25 transmissive block, and movable into a second position so that incident light is reflected off of the third surface and substantially does not pass through the third means, the first, second and third means, being of thicknesses or refractive indices to allow the beam of light to be directed to any of seven output locations.
DocNo. 10-90 Patent Brief Description of the Drawings Exemplary embodiments will now be described in conjunction with the drawings, inwhich:
Fig. la is an illustrative diagram of a binary optical deflection switch having a single input port and eight output ports in accordance with the invention;
Fig. lb is an illustrative diagram of a binary optical deflection switch having a single input port and two output ports in accordance with the invention;
o Fig. 2 is a detailed diagram of glass block elements shown in Fig. 1 illustrating an aspect of the operation of the switch;
Fig. 3a is a diagram of the switch in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 3b is a diagram of a binary tree illustrating the number of switches required to switch from one to any of eight output ports;, Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein a cylindrical layout is provided; and Figs 5a and 5b illustrate the concept and physical configuration of a 3x3 matrix switch.
Detailed Description Referring now to Fig. la, a binary optical deflection switch is shown comprised of a trapezoidal shaped block 10 having an input port 6 and having output ports 7a to 7h, wherein ports 7a, 7g, and 7h are shown. The block 10 is made of light transmissive material such as glass. Light tr:~nsmissive glass blocks 12, 14 and 16 having three 25 different thicknesses t, 2t, and 4t and having the same re*active index as the trapezoidal shaped block 10 are shown to be adjacent the block 10, and spaced from the block 10 by a thin layer of silicone 15 having a re*active index that is substantially the same as the glass blocks or an equivalent resilient index matching buffer material.
30 A more basic lx2 optical switch is shown in Fig. lb having a single input port and two output ports. An input beam is launched from the left of the figure into a block of glass 6.
- -DocNo. 10-90 Patent When the glass block 7 (and its buffer material not shown) is optically contacting the block 6, light is routed to port 1. When the glass block 7 is moved so that it does not contact the block 6, light is routed to port 0. The thickness t of the block 7 will determine the spacing between ports 0 and 1.
s Referring now to Fig. 2, two glass blocks, for example 12 and 16 shown in Fig. 1 are illustrated in greater detail. Spring like members 20 are merely illustrative of means for positioning the blocks 12 and 16 along and off of an edge of the block 10 respectively. Of course any suitable positioning means that that has a fast enough response time such as o solenoids or piezoelectric actuators can be used.
The operation of the reflective elements shown in Fig. 2 will now be described. An incident beam of light 22 is shown propagating from the left of the figure directed to the right in the direction of the arrow. The beam first passes through the interface at the surface 10, the silicon material 15 and propagates through the block 12 to reflect off its upward face 12a demonstrating total internal reflection due to the refractive index difference between that of the block and the air adjacent to it. The beam then passes through the elastomer (silicon) 15 and into the block 10 as the elastomer and block 10 have substantially the same refractive index as the glass block 12. The beam then reflects 20 off the lower surface of the block 10 and is directed toward the block 16. However, block 16 is not making contact with the glass block 10 so it is reflected back downward due to the glass 10 / air interface that is present. Thus when the elastomer attached to either of the blocks 12 or 16 are in contact with the surface of 10, the location of the reflection point is moved outward, and the path length of a given segment 22a, 22b, or 22c is 25 lengthened by the travel through the block 12 or 16.
The operation of the switch can now readily be understood with reference to Fig. 1.
Although not shown, the blocks 12, 14, and 16 are individually controllably movable such that they are in contact with the block 10 (via the elastomer index matching 30 material) or such that they are lifted off of the block 10. By way of example, several, but not all of the possible selectable paths are shown through the lines 1 8a, 1 8b, and 1 8c - -Doc No. 10-90 Patent which lead to ports 0, 5, and 7 respectively. As a beam of light 18 is launched into the input port 6 of the switch at a predetermined angle, it is either reflected off the air/10 interface or the air/12 interface, depending upon whether block 12 is not, or is, in contact (via the elastomer) with block 10. In the first instance when there is contact s between the blocks 10 and 12, the beam 18 reflects off the outward face of the block 12 and follows the path shown by dotted line 1 8b. In the second instance when there is no contact between the blocks 10 and 12, the beam 18 reflects off the face 10 and follows the path defined by line 1 8a. Depending upon whether blocks 14 and 16 are lifted off or are in contact with the block 10 will determine which path is followed. The positioning o of the blocks 12, 14, 16 adjacent sequential reflective surfaces of the block 10 is determined by the initial launch angle. It should be noted that for a switch with n blocks (i.e. here n=3 for blocks 12, 14, and 16), that there are 2n output ports. For example in this instance, where n = 3, the following switching combinations are possible.
off off off off off on off on off off on on 20 on off off on off on on on off on on on 2s Referring now to Figs. 3a and 3b, a comparison is made, wherein it is shown that three two-state devices are required in accordance with this invention to provide switching between a single input port and eight output ports. In contrast an optical switch having a conventional binary tree configuration requires seven two-state devices to achieve the same functionality.
DocNo. 10-90 Patent In Fig. 4 an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown wherein a block 40 having 6 sides and 5 individually movable blocks 42a.. 42e having thicknesses t, 2t, 4t, 8t, and 1 6t provide a lx32 optical switch. Using even multiples of t ensures that the output ports will be substantially evenly spaced.
s The optical switches described heretofore in accordance with this invention, can be used as a lxn switch, or alternatively, can be ganged with several other same switches to provide an nxn optical switch. This is illustrated in Figs. 5a and Sb.
o Of course numerous other embodiments of the invention may be envisaged, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Background of the Invention In evolving optical communication networks, the need often arises to switch an optical signal from one path to another, be it along a waveguide or in free space. For 0 example, in a network which consists of a number of communication nodes connected sequentially to form a ring, it may be required to temporarily remove one or more nodes from the network. Therefore the optical waveguides, for example in the form of optical fibres interconnecting the network must be able to "switch" the node(s) from an active (transmit/receive) state to a passive (bypass) state. Many arrangements exist in the art for 5 providing this type of switching. These arrangements may generally be classified into two groups: (1) moving beam switches (arrangements which redirect the optical signal path between stationary waveguides, and (2) moving fibre switches (designs which use external force to physically change the location of optical fibres entering and exiting the node). The activation mechanism of the present invention is used with the switches of the 20 former design.
An exemplary optical fibre switch that utilizes a moving mirror to perform the switching function is disclosed by Levinson in United States patent number 4,580,873 issued April 8, 1986 which is incorporated herein by reference. Although this invention appears to adequately perform its intended function, it is believed too costly and somewhat complex.
Another switch of the former design is disclosed by Benzoni in United States Patent 5,042,889 and assigned to AT&T Bell Laboratories and issued in 1991. Benzoni's invention relates to an activation mechanism for moving a reflective element in or out of the path of a beam of light, to allow light to be either transmitted in a first position or reflected in a second position. Although Benzoni' s design may perform its intended 30 function, there is a need for an inexpensive optical switch that will allow light to be transmitted to one of a plurality of different positions. For example, Levinson's matrix Doc No. 10-90 Patent switch which provides the required functionality of allowing light to be controllably transmitted to one of a plurality of destinations requires nxm collim~ting lenses coupled to input/output fibers to collimate and focus light received from input fibers and destined for output fibers respectively. Aside from the cost of providing lenses, these lenses 5 provide a collim~ting beam having a diameter of about 500 ~m. Each of the lenses occupy a space of approximately 2 mm; thus, the minimum size, for example, of a 32 channel nxm switch is about 6 cm or more. Fabricating a large sized monolithic device is not practicable using a single monolithic silicone substrate. Furthermore, by providing a large diameter collimated beam, the size of a movable mirror deflecting the beam is o required to at least be large enough to intercept the entire beam. Such large mirrors are costly, and moving a larger mirror in and out of the path of the beam requires more energy and is more difficult. Thus, it is believed that Levinson's device is not well suited to nxm applications having many input and output optical fibers. Benzoini's mechanism on the other hand, provides limited functionality.
It is therefore an object of this invention, to provide a deflection switch that may be configured as a lxn switch or alternatively as an nxm switch that is easier to manufacture than many of its predecessors and which is relatively inexpensive to produce.
20 Summary of the Invention In accordance with the invention, there is provided, a binary optical deflection switch comprising a light tr~n~mi~ive material having an input port, n switchable means for varying n locations wherein total internal reflection occurs, said switch having 2n 25 selectable output ports.
In accordance with the invention there is further provided, an optical deflection switch comprising:
a light transmissive material having an input port and having a plurality of sequential 30 reflection means disposed to receive light launched into the input port and to reflect the Doc No. 10-90 Patent light to a next sequential reflection means so that a beam launched in the input port follows one of a plurality of selectable paths to one of a plurality of output ports; and means for varying the optical path length between at least two sequential reflection means.
In accordance with the invention, there is yet further provided, an optical switch comprising: a light transmissive block of material having at least first second and third surfaces, the second surface being disposed at a location that will allow a beam of light incident upon the first surface at a first predetermined angle, to reflect to the second o surface when the first surface is in a reflecting mode, the third surface being disposed at a location that will allow the beam of light incident upon the second surface, to reflect to the third surface when the second surface is in a reflecting mode;
first means movable into a first position with the first surface of the light transmissive block to allow light to pass therethrough into the first means through the light5 tr~n~mi~sive block and to be reflected by a surface of the first means toward the second surface and movable into a second position so that incident light is reflected off of the first surface and substantially does not pass through the first means;
second means movable into a first position with the second surface of the light transmissive block to allow light to pass therethrough into the second means through the 20 light transmissive block, and movable into a second position so that incident light is reflected off of the second surface and substantially does not pass through the second means; and, third means movable into a first position with the third surface of the light transmissive block to allow light to pass therethrough into the third means through the light25 transmissive block, and movable into a second position so that incident light is reflected off of the third surface and substantially does not pass through the third means, the first, second and third means, being of thicknesses or refractive indices to allow the beam of light to be directed to any of seven output locations.
DocNo. 10-90 Patent Brief Description of the Drawings Exemplary embodiments will now be described in conjunction with the drawings, inwhich:
Fig. la is an illustrative diagram of a binary optical deflection switch having a single input port and eight output ports in accordance with the invention;
Fig. lb is an illustrative diagram of a binary optical deflection switch having a single input port and two output ports in accordance with the invention;
o Fig. 2 is a detailed diagram of glass block elements shown in Fig. 1 illustrating an aspect of the operation of the switch;
Fig. 3a is a diagram of the switch in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 3b is a diagram of a binary tree illustrating the number of switches required to switch from one to any of eight output ports;, Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein a cylindrical layout is provided; and Figs 5a and 5b illustrate the concept and physical configuration of a 3x3 matrix switch.
Detailed Description Referring now to Fig. la, a binary optical deflection switch is shown comprised of a trapezoidal shaped block 10 having an input port 6 and having output ports 7a to 7h, wherein ports 7a, 7g, and 7h are shown. The block 10 is made of light transmissive material such as glass. Light tr:~nsmissive glass blocks 12, 14 and 16 having three 25 different thicknesses t, 2t, and 4t and having the same re*active index as the trapezoidal shaped block 10 are shown to be adjacent the block 10, and spaced from the block 10 by a thin layer of silicone 15 having a re*active index that is substantially the same as the glass blocks or an equivalent resilient index matching buffer material.
30 A more basic lx2 optical switch is shown in Fig. lb having a single input port and two output ports. An input beam is launched from the left of the figure into a block of glass 6.
- -DocNo. 10-90 Patent When the glass block 7 (and its buffer material not shown) is optically contacting the block 6, light is routed to port 1. When the glass block 7 is moved so that it does not contact the block 6, light is routed to port 0. The thickness t of the block 7 will determine the spacing between ports 0 and 1.
s Referring now to Fig. 2, two glass blocks, for example 12 and 16 shown in Fig. 1 are illustrated in greater detail. Spring like members 20 are merely illustrative of means for positioning the blocks 12 and 16 along and off of an edge of the block 10 respectively. Of course any suitable positioning means that that has a fast enough response time such as o solenoids or piezoelectric actuators can be used.
The operation of the reflective elements shown in Fig. 2 will now be described. An incident beam of light 22 is shown propagating from the left of the figure directed to the right in the direction of the arrow. The beam first passes through the interface at the surface 10, the silicon material 15 and propagates through the block 12 to reflect off its upward face 12a demonstrating total internal reflection due to the refractive index difference between that of the block and the air adjacent to it. The beam then passes through the elastomer (silicon) 15 and into the block 10 as the elastomer and block 10 have substantially the same refractive index as the glass block 12. The beam then reflects 20 off the lower surface of the block 10 and is directed toward the block 16. However, block 16 is not making contact with the glass block 10 so it is reflected back downward due to the glass 10 / air interface that is present. Thus when the elastomer attached to either of the blocks 12 or 16 are in contact with the surface of 10, the location of the reflection point is moved outward, and the path length of a given segment 22a, 22b, or 22c is 25 lengthened by the travel through the block 12 or 16.
The operation of the switch can now readily be understood with reference to Fig. 1.
Although not shown, the blocks 12, 14, and 16 are individually controllably movable such that they are in contact with the block 10 (via the elastomer index matching 30 material) or such that they are lifted off of the block 10. By way of example, several, but not all of the possible selectable paths are shown through the lines 1 8a, 1 8b, and 1 8c - -Doc No. 10-90 Patent which lead to ports 0, 5, and 7 respectively. As a beam of light 18 is launched into the input port 6 of the switch at a predetermined angle, it is either reflected off the air/10 interface or the air/12 interface, depending upon whether block 12 is not, or is, in contact (via the elastomer) with block 10. In the first instance when there is contact s between the blocks 10 and 12, the beam 18 reflects off the outward face of the block 12 and follows the path shown by dotted line 1 8b. In the second instance when there is no contact between the blocks 10 and 12, the beam 18 reflects off the face 10 and follows the path defined by line 1 8a. Depending upon whether blocks 14 and 16 are lifted off or are in contact with the block 10 will determine which path is followed. The positioning o of the blocks 12, 14, 16 adjacent sequential reflective surfaces of the block 10 is determined by the initial launch angle. It should be noted that for a switch with n blocks (i.e. here n=3 for blocks 12, 14, and 16), that there are 2n output ports. For example in this instance, where n = 3, the following switching combinations are possible.
off off off off off on off on off off on on 20 on off off on off on on on off on on on 2s Referring now to Figs. 3a and 3b, a comparison is made, wherein it is shown that three two-state devices are required in accordance with this invention to provide switching between a single input port and eight output ports. In contrast an optical switch having a conventional binary tree configuration requires seven two-state devices to achieve the same functionality.
DocNo. 10-90 Patent In Fig. 4 an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown wherein a block 40 having 6 sides and 5 individually movable blocks 42a.. 42e having thicknesses t, 2t, 4t, 8t, and 1 6t provide a lx32 optical switch. Using even multiples of t ensures that the output ports will be substantially evenly spaced.
s The optical switches described heretofore in accordance with this invention, can be used as a lxn switch, or alternatively, can be ganged with several other same switches to provide an nxn optical switch. This is illustrated in Figs. 5a and Sb.
o Of course numerous other embodiments of the invention may be envisaged, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (14)
1. An optical deflection switch comprising:
a light transmissive material, having an input port and having a plurality of sequential reflection means disposed to receive light launched into the input port and to reflect the light to a next sequential reflection means so that a beam launched in the input port follows one of a plurality of selectable paths to one of a plurality of output ports; and means for varying the optical path length between at least two sequential reflection means.
a light transmissive material, having an input port and having a plurality of sequential reflection means disposed to receive light launched into the input port and to reflect the light to a next sequential reflection means so that a beam launched in the input port follows one of a plurality of selectable paths to one of a plurality of output ports; and means for varying the optical path length between at least two sequential reflection means.
2. An optical deflection switch as defined in claim 1 including means for controlling the means for varying the optical path length, wherein means for varying the optical path length are selectively operable between each of the sequential reflection means
3. An optical deflection switch as defined in claim 2 wherein each sequential reflection means comprises an interface along the optical path between the light transmissive material and a material having a substantially lower refractive index.
4. An optical deflection switch as defined in claim 3 including n sequential reflection means and 2n output ports, said switch being controllable to direct an input beam to any of the 2n output ports.
5. An optical deflection switch as defined in claim 1 wherein the light transmissive material is in the form of a block, each sequential reflection means comprising an interface in the optical path along a side of the block.
6. An optical deflection switch as defined in claim 5 wherein each sequential reflection means includes another block of a light transmissive material, said material being of substantially the same refractive index as the other light transmissive material for selectively increasing the length of the optical path.
7. An optical deflection switch as defined in claim 6 wherein each other block includes a layer of resilient optically contacting buffer material for mating two light transmissive blocks.
8. An optical deflection switch comprising:
a light transmissive material having an input port and having a plurality of sequential adjacent reflective interfaces, each interface being an interface where total internal reflection of light occurs, said sequential adjacent interfaces disposed to receive light launched into the input port so that a beam launched in the input port follows one of a plurality of selectable paths to one of a plurality of output ports; and means for varying the optical path length between at least two adjacent reflective interfaces; including means for moving at least one of the plurality of reflective interfaces to selectively direct light launched into the input port to one of the output ports.
a light transmissive material having an input port and having a plurality of sequential adjacent reflective interfaces, each interface being an interface where total internal reflection of light occurs, said sequential adjacent interfaces disposed to receive light launched into the input port so that a beam launched in the input port follows one of a plurality of selectable paths to one of a plurality of output ports; and means for varying the optical path length between at least two adjacent reflective interfaces; including means for moving at least one of the plurality of reflective interfaces to selectively direct light launched into the input port to one of the output ports.
9. An optical switch comprising:
a light transmissive block of material having at least first second and third surfaces, the second surface being disposed at a location that will allow a beam of light incident upon the first surface at a first predetermined angle, to reflect to the second surface when the first surface is in a reflecting mode, the third surface being disposed at a location that will allow the beam of light incident upon the second surface, to reflect to the third surface when the second surface is in a reflecting mode;
first means movable into a first position with the first surface of the light transmissive block to allow light to pass therethrough into the first means through the lighttransmissive block and to be reflected by a surface of the first means toward the second surface, and movable into a second position so that incident light is reflected off of the first surface and substantially does not pass through the first means;
second means movable into a first position with the second surface of the light transmissive block to allow light to pass therethrough into the second means through the light transmissive block, and movable into a second position so that incident light is reflected off of the second surface and substantially does not pass through the second means; and, third means movable into a first position with the third surface of the light transmissive block to allow light to pass therethrough into the third means through the lighttransmissive block, and movable into a second position so that incident light is reflected off of the third surface and substantially does not pass through the third means, the first, second and third means, being of thicknesses or refractive indices to allow the beam of light to be directed to any of seven output locations.
a light transmissive block of material having at least first second and third surfaces, the second surface being disposed at a location that will allow a beam of light incident upon the first surface at a first predetermined angle, to reflect to the second surface when the first surface is in a reflecting mode, the third surface being disposed at a location that will allow the beam of light incident upon the second surface, to reflect to the third surface when the second surface is in a reflecting mode;
first means movable into a first position with the first surface of the light transmissive block to allow light to pass therethrough into the first means through the lighttransmissive block and to be reflected by a surface of the first means toward the second surface, and movable into a second position so that incident light is reflected off of the first surface and substantially does not pass through the first means;
second means movable into a first position with the second surface of the light transmissive block to allow light to pass therethrough into the second means through the light transmissive block, and movable into a second position so that incident light is reflected off of the second surface and substantially does not pass through the second means; and, third means movable into a first position with the third surface of the light transmissive block to allow light to pass therethrough into the third means through the lighttransmissive block, and movable into a second position so that incident light is reflected off of the third surface and substantially does not pass through the third means, the first, second and third means, being of thicknesses or refractive indices to allow the beam of light to be directed to any of seven output locations.
10. An optical deflection switch having an input port for launching an input beam and n sequential optically aligned interfaces a second of the n interfaces disposed to receive light from a first of the n interfaces and in a reflecting mode of operation for reflecting the beam to a third interface;
means for changing the mode of operation of the interfaces from the reflecting mode to a transmitting mode, said means forreceiving light from the interfaces in the transmitting mode and for reflecting light back toward the interfaces, said beam being selectably switchable from the input port to any of 2n output ports.
means for changing the mode of operation of the interfaces from the reflecting mode to a transmitting mode, said means forreceiving light from the interfaces in the transmitting mode and for reflecting light back toward the interfaces, said beam being selectably switchable from the input port to any of 2n output ports.
11. An optical deflection switch having at least a first, second and third sequential optically aligned interfaces, the second interface disposed to receive light from a first interface and in a reflecting mode of operation for reflecting the beam to the third interface;
means for changing the mode of operation of the interfaces from the reflecting mode to a transmitting mode, said means for receiving light from the interfaces in the transmitting mode and for reflecting light back toward the interfaces.
means for changing the mode of operation of the interfaces from the reflecting mode to a transmitting mode, said means for receiving light from the interfaces in the transmitting mode and for reflecting light back toward the interfaces.
12. A binary optical deflection switch comprising a light transmissive material having an input port, n switchable means for varying n locations wherein total internal reflection occurs, said switch having 2n selectable output ports.
13. An optical deflection switch as defined in claim 1 wherein the plurality of selectable paths are parallel.
14. An optical switch comprising:
a light transmissive block of material having at least first and second surfaces, the second surface being disposed at a location that will allow a beam of light incident upon the first surface at a first predetermined angle, to reflect to the second surface when the first surface is in a reflecting mode;
first means movable into a first position with the first surface of the light transmissive block to allow light to pass therethrough into the first means through the lighttransmissive block and to be reflected by a surface of the first means toward the second surface, and movable into a second position so that incident light is reflected off of the first surface and substantially does not pass through the first means;
and, the first means, being of a thickness or refractive index to allow the beam of light to be directed to any of two output locations.
a light transmissive block of material having at least first and second surfaces, the second surface being disposed at a location that will allow a beam of light incident upon the first surface at a first predetermined angle, to reflect to the second surface when the first surface is in a reflecting mode;
first means movable into a first position with the first surface of the light transmissive block to allow light to pass therethrough into the first means through the lighttransmissive block and to be reflected by a surface of the first means toward the second surface, and movable into a second position so that incident light is reflected off of the first surface and substantially does not pass through the first means;
and, the first means, being of a thickness or refractive index to allow the beam of light to be directed to any of two output locations.
Priority Applications (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002221200A CA2221200A1 (en) | 1997-11-14 | 1997-11-14 | Reflective optical switch |
| US09/084,114 US6005993A (en) | 1997-11-14 | 1998-05-26 | Deflection optical matrix switch |
| CA 2252134 CA2252134A1 (en) | 1997-11-14 | 1998-10-28 | Optical switch |
| EP98121317A EP0916982A3 (en) | 1997-11-14 | 1998-11-09 | Optical switch |
| JP34114798A JPH11223777A (en) | 1997-11-14 | 1998-11-13 | Method for switching light beam and optical switch |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002221200A CA2221200A1 (en) | 1997-11-14 | 1997-11-14 | Reflective optical switch |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2221200A1 true CA2221200A1 (en) | 1999-05-14 |
Family
ID=4161773
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002221200A Abandoned CA2221200A1 (en) | 1997-11-14 | 1997-11-14 | Reflective optical switch |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6005993A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2221200A1 (en) |
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| EP1210627A1 (en) * | 1999-07-21 | 2002-06-05 | Nortel Networks Corporation | Flexible, modular, compact fiber optic switch improvements |
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| US8137001B2 (en) * | 2009-11-02 | 2012-03-20 | Harris Corporation | Repeatable optical waveguide interconnection including an index matching elastomeric solid layer and related methods |
| US8231281B2 (en) * | 2009-11-02 | 2012-07-31 | Harris Corporation | Repeatable optical waveguide interconnection including an index matching elastomeric solid layer providing core and cladding index of refraction matching and related methods |
| US8195016B2 (en) * | 2009-11-02 | 2012-06-05 | Harris Corporation | Optical fiber switch including an index matching elastomeric solid layer and related methods |
| US20110104388A1 (en) * | 2009-11-02 | 2011-05-05 | Harris Corporation | Method for making an optical device including a curable index matching elastomeric solid layer |
| US8175426B2 (en) * | 2009-11-02 | 2012-05-08 | Harris Corporation | Optical fiber switch including an index matching elastomeric solid layer providing core and cladding index of refraction matching and related methods |
| US8559774B2 (en) | 2011-03-31 | 2013-10-15 | Harris Corporation | Optical device having an elastomeric waveguide switch body and related methods |
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| US5221987A (en) * | 1992-04-10 | 1993-06-22 | Laughlin Richard H | FTIR modulator |
| US5444801A (en) * | 1994-05-27 | 1995-08-22 | Laughlin; Richard H. | Apparatus for switching optical signals and method of operation |
| US5555327A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1996-09-10 | Laughlin; Richard H. | Frustrated total internal reflection device |
-
1997
- 1997-11-14 CA CA002221200A patent/CA2221200A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1998
- 1998-05-26 US US09/084,114 patent/US6005993A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US6005993A (en) | 1999-12-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |