Optical blocking filter having an array of micro-mirrors

Optical: systems and elements – Deflection using a moving element – By moving a reflective element

Reexamination Certificate

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C359S224200, C359S290000, C359S291000, C385S016000, C385S039000, C398S045000, C398S083000, C398S085000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06956687

ABSTRACT:
A reconfigurable optical blocking filter deletes a desired optical channel(s) from an optical WDM input signal, and includes a spatial light modulator having a micro-mirror device with a two-dimensional array of micro-mirrors that tilt between first and second positions in a “digital” fashion in response to a control signal provided by a controller in accordance with a switching algorithm and an input command. A collimators, diffraction grating, and Fourier lens, collectively collimate, separate and focus the optical input channels onto the array of micro-mirrors. The optical channel is focused on the micro-mirrors onto a plurality of micro-mirrors of the micro-mirror device, which effectively pixelates the optical channels. To delete an input channel of the optical input signal, micro-mirrors associated with each desired input channel are tilted to reflect the desired input channel away from the return path.

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