Beam-steering optical switching apparatus
AssigneeContinuum Photonics, Inc.
InventorsNesbitt W. Hagood, Kamyar Ghandi, Bob Cloutier, Mike Borgen
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Abstract
The systems and methods described herein are directed to motion transformers as well as their integration and/or assembly, for use in directing optical beams and positioning of small optical elements for creating a variety of tunable optical components. More particularly, the systems and methods can be applied to a free-space optical cross-connect switching apparatus with piezoelectric actuation.
Claims59
An optical switch, comprising
- an actuator for generating a mechanical movement,
- an optical device, and
- a motion transformer having a compliant member for coupling with the optical device and for coupling to an actuator capable of generating a mechanical movement, for generating amplified relative mechanical movement between the actuator and the optical device for selectively changing position of the optical device in two orthogonal directions.
An optical switch, comprising
- a plurality of actuators for generating a mechanical movement,
- a plurality of optical devices,
- a plurality of motion transformers formed on a substrate and having compliant members for coupling with respective ones of the optical devices and with one or more of the actuators for selectively changing positions of the optical devices, and
- an array of lenses or prisms positioned relative to the motion transformers and being disposed with
- a varying pitch between lenses or prisms in the array for achieving a selected unactuated optical beam angle.
An optical switch comprising
- a plurality of actuators for generating a mechanical movement,
- a plurality of optical devices,
- a plurality of motion transformers formed on a curved substrate and having compliant members for coupling with respective ones of the optical devices and with one or more of the actuators for selectively changing positions of the optical devices, and
- a curved array of lenses disposed above the plurality of motion transformers formed on the curved substrate.
An optical switch comprising
- an actuator for generating a mechanical movement,
- an optical device,
- a motion transformer having a compliant member for coupling with the optical device and for coupling to an actuator capable of generating a mechanical movement, for generating relative mechanical movement between the actuator and the optical device for selectively changing position of the optical device, and
- a mirror for reflecting light traveling through the optical device.
An optical switch comprising
- an actuator for generating a mechanical movement,
- an optical device,
- a motion transformer having a compliant member for coupling with the optical device and for coupling to an actuator capable of generating a mechanical movement, for generating relative mechanical movement between the actuator and the optical device for selectively changing position of the optical device, and
- a beam splitter for directing light to a control system.
An optical switch for switching a beam of light, comprising a transmitter and a receiver at least one of which having
- an optical device,
- an actuator for generating a mechanical movement, and
- a motion transformer responsive to movement of the actuator for imparting amplified actuator motion on the optical device to allow for selectively steering and focusing the beam of light in at least two orthogonal directions.
A method for switching an optical circuit, comprising
- supporting an optical device within a compliant member,
- positioning the optical device within an optical path of the circuit, and
- applying a mechanical displacement to the compliant member to cause the compliant member to flex and change the position of the optical device by a distance that is greater than the applied mechanical displacement, thereby altering the optical path of the optical circuit in at least two orthogonal directions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.