Switchable wavelength router

Details Switchable wavelength router Switchable wavelength router

1997-12-02

1999-06-15

Bacares, Rafael

Optical: systems and elements

Deflection using a moving element

Using a periodically moving element

359127, 359156, 359251, H04J 1400, H04B 1000

Patent

active

059127481

ABSTRACT:
A switchable wavelength router has a first polarization-dependent routing element (e.g., a birefringent element, polarized beamsplitter, or angled polarization separator) that decomposes and spatially separates an incoming WDM optical signal into two orthogonally-polarized beams. A first polarization rotator selectably rotates the polarization of one of the beams to match the polarization of other beam, based on an external control signal. A wavelength filter (e.g., stacked waveplates) provides a polarization-dependent optical transmission function such that the first beam decomposes into third and fourth orthogonal beams, and the second beam decomposes into fifth and sixth orthogonal beams. The third and fifth beams carry a first spectral band at a first polarization and the fourth and sixth beams carry a second spectral band at an orthogonal polarization. A second polarization-dependent routing element spatially separates these four beams into four horizontally polarized and vertically polarized components. A second polarization rotator rotates the polarizations of the beams so that the third and fifth beams, and the fourth and sixth beams are orthogonally polarized. A third polarization-dependent routing element recombines the third and fifth beams (i.e., the first spectral band), and also recombines the fourth and sixth beams (i.e., the second spectral band) which are coupled to the two output ports based on the control state of the wavelength router.

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