US 6,266,176 B1 · Device for optical interconnection

Abstract

The present invention includes optical interconnection devices and optical interconnection systems. The invention also includes machines and instruments using those aspects of the invention. The invention may also be used to upgrade, repair, or retrofit existing machines or instruments, using methods and components known in the art. An optical interconnection device of the present invention utilizes a multiple-pass optical cell. This approach differs from previous approaches in that spatial light modulators are used in a White cell device or other multiple-pass optical configuration. In a spatial light modulator, each individual element typically only has two or three variations used to direct the light. Therefore, precise calibration is not needed. The light simply needs to be directed towards the appropriate arm of the optical cell, which utilizes a self-correcting mirror in order to direct a light stream to the next desired location in the system.

Claims51

Dependent claims

A free-space optical interconnection device comprising:

(a) at least one input light source, said at least one input light source adapted to generate an array of light beams;
(b) a plurality of optical elements configured so as to define a plurality of possible light paths for each said light beam in said array;
(c) a spatial light modulator adapted to select a path from among said light paths for each pass of a said light beam through said optical elements and reflect the light beam to said selected path, each said light beam making multiple passes through said optical elements;
and
(d) an output plane adapted to receive each said light beam emerging from said optical elements, said output plane having at least two dimensions, the resultant position of each said light beam on the output plane determined in one said dimension by the position of said light beam in one dimensional input array and in the other said dimension by said light paths traveled by said light beam through said optical elements.

2 more elements

An optical interconnection device comprising:

(a) an input light source, said input light source adapted to generate at least one individual light beam from at least one direction;
(b) a first optical configuration, said first optical configuration comprising:
(i) a first plurality of optical elements configured so as to define a plurality of possible light paths for each said light beam;
and
(ii) a spatial light modulator adapted to select a path from among said light paths for each pass of a said light beam through said first plurality of optical elements, said first optical configuration adapted to use a first portion of said spatial light modulator;
(c) a second optical configuration, said second optical configuration adapted to receive as input said light beams emerging from said first optical configuration, said second optical configuration comprising:
(i) a second plurality of optical elements configured so as to define a plurality of possible light paths for each said light beam emerging from said first optical configuration;
and
(ii) a second portion of said spatial light modulator adapted to select a path from among said light paths for each pass of a said light beam through said second plurality of optical elements, said second portion of said spatial light modulator having no reflective elements in common with said first portion;
and
(d) at least one receiving device adapted to receive a said light beam exiting said second optical configuration, said first and second optical configurations adapted so that a similar period of time is needed for each said light beam to pass from said input light source through said configurations to said receiving device.

8 more elements

An optical switching apparatus comprising:

(a) at least one input optical fiber, each said input optical fiber adapted to carry an optical signal;
(b) a first optical configuration, said first optical configuration comprising:
(i) a first plurality of optical elements configured so as to define a plurality of possible light paths for each said optical signal;
and
(ii) a first spatial light modulator adapted to select a path from among said light paths for each pass of a said optical signal through said first plurality of optical elements;
(c) a second optical configuration, said second optical configuration adapted to receive as input a said optical signal emerging from said first optical configuration, said second optical configuration comprising:
(i) a second plurality of optical elements configured so as to define a plurality of possible light paths for each said optical signal emerging from said first optical configuration;
and
(ii) a second spatial light modulator adapted to select a path from among said light paths for each pass of a said optical signal through said second plurality of optical elements;
and
(d) a plurality of output optical fibers, each said output optical fiber adapted to carry a said optical signal exiting said second optical configuration, said first and second optical configurations adapted such that a similar period of time is needed for each said optical signal to pass from a said input optical fiber to a said output optical fiber.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device for optical interconnection

Life of this patent

Device for optical interconnection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims51