Reflection type compact optical switch

Details Reflection type compact optical switch Reflection type compact optical switch

2002-01-15

2004-03-16

Lee, John D. (Department: 2874)

Optical waveguides

With optical coupler

Switch

C385S016000, C385S022000, C385S024000, C385S031000, C385S033000, C385S034000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06707960

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to optical systems, and more particularly to a method and system for providing a compact optical switch.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In fiber optic communication, a particular optical signal may be desired to be provided on of two possible paths. Under one set of conditions, the optical signal is provided to a particular fiber. Under a different set of conditions, the optical signal will be provided to a different optical fiber. In order to do perform these functions, an optical switch, such as a conventional 1×2 optical switch, is used.
FIGS. 1A and 1B
depict a conventional optical switch
10
. The conventional optical switch
10
includes a dual fiber collimator
16
that is coupled to fibers
12
and
14
, a mirror
18
and a single fiber collimator
20
that is coupled to a single fiber
22
. The dual fiber collimator
16
is typically utilizes a GRIN lens
19
.
The conventional optical switch
10
can output an optical signal input via fiber
12
on either the fiber
14
or the fiber
22
. In the first configuration, depicted in
FIG. 1A
, the optical signal input on the fiber
12
is reflected off of the mirror
18
and back to the output fiber
14
. Thus, the optical signal will be output along Fiber
14
. In the second configuration, depicted in
FIG. 1B
, the mirror
18
has been moved so that the mirror
18
no longer intersects the path of the optical signal. As a result, the optical signal input over the fiber
12
passes through the single fiber collimator
20
and is output via the fiber
22
.
Although the conventional optical switch
10
functions, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that very precise alignment of the components is required for this conventional optical switch
10
. In particular, the alignment of the mirror
18
is critical to ensuring that when the conventional optical switch
10
is in the configuration depicted in
FIGS. 1A
, the optical signal reflected off of the mirror
18
is provided to the fiber
14
. Typically, a mechanical pivot is used to move the mirror
18
between the positions shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B
. During repeated use, the mechanical pivot typically becomes worn. As a result, the alignment of the mirror
18
may be altered. The insertion loss for the conventional optical switch
10
may thus increase dramatically.
Accordingly, what is needed is an optical switch which allows for less precise alignment. The present invention addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides method and system for providing an optical switch. The method and system include providing a triple fiber collimator, a beam deflector and a reflector. The triple fiber collimator is for receiving an optical signal from a first fiber and outputting the optical signal to a second fiber or a third fiber. The beam deflector has a first portion and a second portion. The beam deflector resides between the reflector and the triple fiber collimator. The optical signal travels through the first portion of the beam deflector, is reflected by the reflector and is output over the second fiber when the beam deflector is in a first position. The optical signal travels through the second portion of the beam deflector, is reflected by the reflector and is output over the third fiber when the beam deflector is in a second position.
According to the system and method disclosed herein, the present invention provides an optical switch that requires less precise alignment.


REFERENCES:
patent: 6219474 (2001-04-01), Cai et al.
patent: 6463189 (2002-10-01), Wu et al.
patent: 6477289 (2002-11-01), Li
patent: 6493139 (2002-12-01), Liu et al.
patent: 10039142 (1998-02-01), None
patent: 2001272612 (2001-10-01), None

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