One-to-M wavelength routing element
AssigneePTS Corporation
InventorsNicholas Charles Cizek, Samuel Paul Weaver
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Retroreflecting elements adapted for use in one-to-M wavelength routing elements are provided. Each retroreflecting element is configured to retroreflect an optical ray that is orthogonal to a reference plane. A first reflective surface, such as may be provided by a mirror, is inclined with respect to the reference plane and is disposed to encounter the optical ray. The first reflective surface is also configured for rotation about an axis to multiple positions. A second reflective surface, such as may also be provided by a mirror, is inclined with respect to the first reflective surface. In at least one of the positions, the optical ray also encounters the second reflective surface.
Claims16
An element for retroreflecting an optical ray incident orthogonal to a plane, the element comprising:
- a first reflective surface inclined with respect to the plane and configured for rotation about an axis to a plurality of positions, the first reflective surface being disposed to encounter the optical ray;
- and
- a second reflective surface inclined with respect to the first reflective surface to provide an included angle of substantially 90° between the first and second reflective surfaces, wherein the second reflective surface comprises a frustoconical reflective surface disposed to surround the first reflective surface.
A method for directing an optical ray, the method comprising:
- reflecting the optical ray from a first reflective surface towards a second reflective surface, wherein both the first and second reflective surfaces are inclined with respect to a plane orthogonal to a propagation direction of the optical ray and have an included angle substantially equal to 90°;
- and
- rotating the first reflective surface about an axis orthogonal to the plane to one of a plurality of positions,
- wherein the second reflective surface comprises a frustoconical reflective surface disposed to surround the first reflective surface.
An element for retroreflecting an optical ray orthogonal to a plane, the element comprising:
- first reflecting means inclined with respect to the plane and configured for rotation about an axis to a plurality of positions, the first reflecting means being disposed to encounter the optical ray;
- and
- a second reflecting means inclined with respect to the first reflecting means for at least one of the plurality of positions and providing an included angle of substantially 90° between the first and second reflecting means,
- wherein the second reflecting means comprises a frustoconical reflecting means disposed to surround the first reflecting means.
A one-to-M wavelength routing element for receiving, at an input port, light having a plurality of spectral bands, and directing selected ones of the spectral bands to one or more of M output ports, the one-to-M wavelength routing element comprising:
- a free-space optical train disposed between the input port and the M output ports providing optical paths for routing the spectral bands, the optical train having a dispersive element disposed to intercept the light traveling from the input port;
- and
- a routing mechanism having a plurality of dynamically configurable retroreflecting elements, each such dynamically configurable retroreflecting element including:
- a first reflective surface inclined with respect to a plane and configured for rotation about an axis to a plurality of positions;
- and
- a second reflective surface inclined with respect to the first reflective surface for at least one of the plurality of positions,
- wherein:
- the second reflective surface comprises a frustoconical reflective surface disposed to surround the first reflective surface;
- and
- M≧2.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.