Photoswitch and light beam directing assembly

Abstract

In a multi-channel three-dimensional optical switch using a 2-axis movable mirror, the arrangement density of the mirrors is increased to realize a three-dimensional optical switch with more channels. Adjacent to the beam exit surface of the fiber collimator array, a first reflector array with a plurality of first reflectors with one rotation axis and a plurality of first windows is arranged, and a first reflector array with the first reflector is arranged. A second mirror array comprising a plurality of second mirrors and a plurality of second windows for one rotation axis perpendicular to the rotation axis. It constitutes a multi-channel optical switch that forms an optical path in which the light beam emitted from the fiber collimator passes through the first window, is reflected in the order of the fixed mirror and the movable mirror, and passes through the second window to exit to the outside.

Description

[technical field] [0001] The present invention relates to an optical switch for switching the connection of optical signals transmitted in a plurality of optical fibers, and relates to a three-dimensional optical matrix switch for controlling the direction of beamed optical signals by means of mirrors. [Background technique] [0002] In optical communication using optical fibers, N×N optical switches can be used, that is, any one of the optical signals sent to N input ports through optical fibers can be connected to one of N output ports. , and can switch their connected devices. There has been a report in US Patent No. 6,347,167 on a three-dimensional optical matrix switch that can form an optical path by using an arrayed fiber collimator and mirror array. [0003] In this conventional example, a rack for arranging optical fibers and collimating lenses, a substrate for arranging input-side and output-side micromirrors on the same surface, and a cover for forming a reflecti...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In the case of the conventional example of the above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 6,347,167, since the arrangement density of the mirrors is unfortunately reduced, there is a possibility that the number of channels that can be coupled will be greatly reduced.

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