Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Switch
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-02
2001-01-30
Font, Frank G. (Department: 2877)
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Switch
C385S017000, C385S018000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181843
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical switch of surface transmission type of the one-dimensional array method, and more particularly to an optical switch of surface transmission type in the InAlGaAs circle, manufactured by a Fabry-Perot type which does not need an optical waveguide and integrated only by amplifiers of the space division multiplex.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Technology expected that switching speed will be fastest in the future depending on multiplex methods of optical switching is the space multiplexing, and its core technology is an optical switch that integration is possible and whose manufacturing process is simple. For the switch, it is intended to manufacture a matrix optical switch using a one-dimensional (1-D) surface transmission-type array of the space division multiplex. A matrix optical switch may apply to the time and wavelength division method in addition to the space division multiplex, and may be also utilized in parallel-type optical operation processing. The switch is very useful because it can execute functions of an optical amplifier and an optical filter at the same time and can select only one specific wavelength in the wavelength division method. Matrix optical switches commercialized now include semiconductor optical amplifier-type switches of a directional coupler type using a LiNbO3 substrate or a Mach-Zender interference type, but its element is too long or large and integration with other optical elements is difficult. Namely, an optical waveguide, created parallel along a thin film layer, is essential, and the configuration of an optical waveguide is a complicated type combined and divided like a cobweb. Also, an individual switch array on the optical waveguide is needed. Particularly, for n×n switches, 2n(n-1) switch arrays are generally needed. Therefore, if the value of n increases in a matrix, its practical use is restricted because geometrical combinations of so many elements are needed with optical waveguides, and due to large size. However, a surface transmission-type optical switch does not need a waveguide as a matrix type of a space division multiplex. Also, it can apply to the time and wavelength division multiplex and parallel optical operation processing is also possible, as the switch can perform functions of an optical amplifier and an optical filer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to provide a surface transmission-type optical switch that continuous optical amplification of the Fabry-Perot type is possible three times over optical amplifiers.
To achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized by comprising an indium substrate which incoming beams can be transmitted through; a lower superlattice Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) whose reflectance is 1; an optical amplifier of a Fabry-perot type, made of a top superlattice DBR with a rectangular or oval mesa surface of each different shape and size, compared with an active layer of a resonance mode thickness, which can generate only one resonance mode which is the same with an incoming wavelength, and circular shapes of incoming beams; and that an optical signal goes out to the above mesa surface using the surface-type optical amplification method that optical amplification is performed for the signal if an optical signal comes in from the lower part of the indium substrate.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5572540 (1996-11-01), Cheng
patent: 5706383 (1998-01-01), Malcuit et al.
patent: 5729566 (1998-03-01), Jewell
patent: 5822352 (1998-10-01), Mizutani et al.
M. Grabherr, et al., High power top-surface emitting vertical-cavity lasers, Nov. 1996, pp. 203-204.
C. Mignosi et al., Dynamics of mode partitioning in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, May 1997, pp. 270 to 271.
Tadashi Saitoh et al., Recent Progress in Semiconductor Laser Amplifiers, 1988, pp. 1656-1664.
Baek Jong Hyeob
Lee Bun
Cohen & Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane
Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
Font Frank G.
Rodriguez Armando
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