Reversible optical circulator utilizing a bi-morphic piezoelectric apparatus

An optical circulator, comprising:

• a first birefringent plate for receiving at least one signal light ray from a first port, wherein the first birefringent plate separates the at least one signal light ray into a plurality of sub-signal rays;
• a second birefringent plate optically coupled to the first birefringent plate;
• at least one optical rotator optically coupled between the first and second birefringent plates, wherein the at least one optical rotator intercepts a portion of the plurality of sub-signal rays;
• at least one reciprocal optical rotator and at least one non-reciprocal optical rotator optically coupled to the second birefringent plate at a side opposite to the at least one optical rotator;
• an optical switch optically coupled to the at least one non-reciprocal optical rotator or the at least one reciprocal optical rotator at a side opposite to the second birefringent plate;
• a lens optically coupled to the at least one reciprocal optical rotator or the at least one non-reciprocal optical rotator, and the optical switch at a side opposite to the second birefringent plate;
• and
• a mirror optically coupled to the lens at a side opposite to the optical switch,
• wherein the mirror reflects the plurality of sub-signal rays such that the plurality of sub-signal rays is folded back upon itself,
• wherein the at least one reciprocal optical rotator, the optical switch, the at least one non-reciprocal optical rotator, the at least one optical rotator, and the first and second birefringent plates recombine the reflected plurality of sub-signal rays into the at least one signal light ray, such that the recombined at least one signal light ray is directed to a second port.

A system for directing a signal light ray, comprising:

• an optical network, the optical network comprising the signal light ray;
• and
• an optical circulator, comprising:
• a first birefringent plate for receiving at least one signal light ray from a first port, wherein the first birefringent plate separates the at least one signal light ray into a plurality of sub-signal rays;
• a second birefringent plate optically coupled to the first birefringent plate;
• at least one optical rotator optically coupled between the first and second birefringent plates, wherein the at least one optical rotator intercepts a portion of the plurality of sub-signal rays;
• at least one reciprocal optical rotator and at least one non-reciprocal optical rotator optically coupled to the second birefringent plate at a side opposite to the at least one optical rotator;
• an optical switch optically coupled to either the at least one non-reciprocal optical rotator or the at least one non-reciprocal optical rotator at a side opposite to the second birefringent plate;
• a lens optically coupled to the at least one reciprocal optical rotator or the non-reciprocal optical rotator, and the optical switch at a side opposite to the second birefringent plate;
• and
• a mirror optically coupled to the lens at a side opposite to the optical switch,
• wherein the mirror reflects the plurality of sub-signal rays such that the plurality of sub-signal rays is folded back upon itself,
• wherein the at least one reciprocal optical rotator, the optical switch, the at least one non-reciprocal optical rotator, the at least one optical rotator, and the first and second birefringent plates recombine the reflected plurality of sub-signal rays into the at least one signal light ray, such that the recombined at least one signal light ray is directed to a second port.

A method for directing a signal light ray, comprising the steps of:

• (a) separating the signal light ray into a plurality of sub-signal rays, wherein the signal light ray is inputted from a first port;
• (b) rotating a polarization direction of a portion of the plurality of sub-signal rays utilizing an optical switch comprising a switchable 90 degree rotation element, wherein the utilizing an optical switch comprising a switchable 90 degree rotation element, wherein the optical switch comprises:
• an arm comprising a piezoelectric material, the arm comprising a first and a second face and a first and a second end, wherein the first face is opposite to the second face, wherein the first end is opposite to the second end,
• at least one electrode coupled to the arm for providing a voltage difference between the first and second faces of the arm,
• a support coupled to the first end of the arm for fixedly supporting the first end,
• an object with a convex surface coupled to the second end of the arm,
• an optical element coupled to the second face of the arm capable of deflecting an optical signal traveling therethrough,
• a first magnet proximately located to the object and to the first face of the arm, and
• a second magnet proximately located to the object and to the second face of the arm;
• (c) reflecting the rotated portion and a remainder of the plurality of sub-signal rays, such that the rotated portion and the remainder are folded back upon themselves;
• and
• (d) combining the rotated portion and the remainder of the plurality of sub-signal rays into the signal light ray, wherein the signal light ray is outputted to a second port.