Optical switching device
AssigneeJDS Uniphase Corporation
InventorRobert I. MacDonald
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical switching device for controlling an optical signal is disclosed. The optical switching device is in the form of an optical loop, the loop having two ports for launching or receiving light. A switching element is interposed within the loop for selectively launching light to one of the two ports. The switching element has a polarization rotating element for rotating the polarization of light incident thereon and a wavelength dependent filter disposed to bypass the polarization rotating element or direct a signal propagating within the loop through the polarization rotating element in dependence upon wavelength.
Claims25
An optical switching device for controlling an optical signal comprising:
- two ports disposed for optical communication therebetween for launching or receiving light;
- a polarization rotating element interposed between the two ports for rotating the polarization of light incident thereon;
- and,
- a filtering element disposed to bypass the polarization rotating element or direct a signal propagating between the two ports through the polarization rotating element in dependence upon a property of the light.
An optical switching device for controlling an optical signal comprising:
- an optical loop, the loop having two ports for launching or receiving light;
- a switching element interposed within the loop for selectively routing light, the switching element comprising:
- a polarization rotating element for rotating the polarization of light incident thereon;
- and,
- a filtering element disposed to bypass the polarization rotating element or direct a signal propagating within the loop through the polarization rotating element in dependence upon a property of the light.
A method for switching an optical signal comprising the steps of:
- receiving an optical input signal from one of two ports;
- rotating the polarization of the optical input signal using a polarization rotating element interposed between the two ports;
- and,
- by passing the polarization rotating element or directing a signal propagating between the two ports through the polarization rotating element in dependence upon a property of the light by filtering said signal.
An optical switch for interchanging optical signals between two optical fibers comprising:
- an optical loop, the loop having two ports wherein each port is connected to one of the two optical fibers for launching or receiving light;
- at least a switching element interposed within the loop for selectively routing light, the switching element comprising:
- a polarization rotating element for rotating the polarization of light incident thereon;
- and,
- a filtering element disposed to bypass the polarization rotating element or direct a signal propagating within the loop through the polarization rotating element in dependence upon a property of the light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.