Optical wavelength selective router

A wavelength selective switch for switching multi-wavelength optical signals, the switch comprising:

• a first port for receiving a multi-wavelength optical signal;
• a plurality of output ports;
• a wavelength dispersive element positioned to receive the optical signal for dispersing wavelength differentiated signal components of said optical signal;
• an array of beam steering elements disposed such that at least one unique beam steering element receives each signal component and is controllable to switch an output port for said signal component from a first output port to a second output port;
• and
• an array of liquid crystal attenuators disposed such that at least one unique attenuator receives each signal component for selective rotation of a polarization of said signal component while the output port for said signal component is being switched from the first output port to the second output port so as to prevent cross-channel contamination.

A wavelength selective switch for switching multi-wavelength optical signals, the switch comprising:

• a first port for receiving a multi-wavelength optical signal;
• a plurality of output ports;
• a wavelength dispersive element positioned to receive the optical signal and for dispersing wavelength differentiated signal components of said optical signal;
• an array of micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) mirrors disposed such that at least one unique mirror receives each signal component and is controllable to switch an output port for said signal component from a first output port to a second output port;
• and
• an array of liquid crystal attenuators disposed such that at least one attenuator receives each signal component and rotates a polarization thereof to cause selective attenuation of said signal component.

A wavelength selective switch for switching multi-wavelength optical signals, the switch comprising:

• a first port for receiving a multi-wavelength optical signal;
• a plurality of output ports;
• a wavelength dispersive element positioned to receive the optical signal for dispersing wavelength differentiated signal components of said optical signal;
• an array of micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) mirrors disposed such that at least one unique mirror receives each signal component is controllable to switch an output port for said signal component from a first output port to a second output port;
• and
• an array of liquid crystal attenuators disposed such that at least one unique attenuator receives each signal component for selective rotation of a polarization of said signal component while the output port for said signal component is being switched from the first output port to the second output port so as to prevent cross-channel contamination and to cause selective attenuation of said signal component.