Two-way magnetic control optical switch device

Abstract

The invention discloses a two-way magnetic control optical switch device which comprises a uniform magnetic field source N pole (1) (1N1 and 1N2), an adjustable uniform magnetic field source S pole (2), a first input optical fiber (3), a second output optical fiber (4), a first output optical fiber (5), a second input optical fiber (6), a cross-shaped quartz capillary tube (7), a magnetic fluid (8), a sealant (9) and a motor (10). When continuous light passes through the cross capillary tube from the light input port, the magnetic fluid is reoriented under the action of the uniform magnetic field, and the magnetic fluid reorientation can regulate and control the transmission efficiency of the light. The position of the S pole of the uniform magnetic field source can be adjusted by the motor, so that the reorientation state of the magnetic fluid appears alternately, the light intensity of the two light output ports changes alternately, and switchable work of the double-channel optical switch is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to magneto - optical materials and optical switches, and particularly to a dual - channel magnetically - controlled optical switch device. Background Art

[0002] An optical switch is an optical path conversion device. In a fiber optic transmission system, optical switches are used for multiple monitors, local area networks, multi - light source detectors, and the conversion of protected Ethernet. In a fiber optic test system, they are used for fiber optic device testing, network testing, fiber optic sensing multi - point monitoring systems, etc. An optical switch is a device with one or more selectable transmission windows that can mutually convert or perform logical operations on optical signals in an optical transmission line or an integrated optical circuit. According to different principles, there are various implementation methods for optical switches, such as: traditional mechanical optical switches, micro - mechanical optical switches, thermo - optical switches, electro - optical switches, acousto - optical switches, and holographic optical switches, etc. Each of the above types of optical switches has deficiencies to varying degrees. For example, mechanical optical switches are relatively large in size and are not easily used in narrow environments; holographic optical switches have high power consumption and relatively high driving voltages, which are not conducive to large - scale use. In view of these drawbacks, I propose a dual - channel magnetically - controlled optical switch based on magneto - fluid. This device is fabricated on the basis of a cross - shaped quartz capillary and optical fibers, has a relatively small volume, and the driving voltage of the component is not large, and the manufacturing cost is low, which can overcome the drawbacks of large volume and high power consumption of other types of optical switches.

[0003] The present invention applies for a dual - channel magnetically - controlled optical switch device. Under the condition of applying a uniform magnetic field source in a certain direction, the arrangement direction of magnetic particles in the magneto - fluid will re - orient to form magnetic chains parallel to the magnetic field direction. The formation of magnetic chains will affect the intensity of the originally input light, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the channel. This device uses single - mode optical fibers and cross - shaped quartz capillaries for conduction, has a relatively small volume, and miniaturizes the system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The optical switch problem to be studied in the present invention is a magnetically - controlled optical switch device in two - dimensional directions based on magneto - fluid, and its purpose is to provide a magnetically - controlled optical switch with a simple structure, low cost, and small size.

[0005] A dual-channel magneto-optic switch device includes a uniform magnetic field source N pole (1) (1N_1, 1N_2), an adjustable uniform magnetic field source S pole (2), a first input optical fiber (3), a second output optical fiber (4), a first output optical fiber (5), a second input optical fiber (6), a cross-shaped quartz capillary (7), a ferrofluid (8), a sealant (9), and a motor (10); two optical fiber jumper input ports and two optical fiber jumper output ports need to be inserted into the cross-shaped quartz capillary. The relative input and output optical fiber jumpers need to be centered and aligned in position. The gap between the cross-shaped quartz capillary and the optical fiber jumpers needs to be sealed with a sealant to prevent the ferrofluid from flowing out. The uniform magnetic field source N pole is vertically fixed on both sides of any input or output port. The adjustable uniform magnetic field source S pole is connected to the optical switch base through a bracket and is initially placed at a 45° angle at the remaining two ports and is opposite to the uniform magnetic field source N pole. The motor is located inside the lower base of the cross-shaped quartz capillary and drives the adjustable uniform magnetic field source S pole to perform a 90° circular motion on the horizontal plane.

[0006] Each optical fiber jumper needs to be inserted into the center position of the capillary to contact the central ferrofluid, and each pair of input and output optical fibers needs to be aligned in position to ensure that the light emitted by the light source first passes through the input optical fiber to transmit the light into the cross-shaped quartz capillary, and then transmits the light to the ferrofluid region. The loss at each connection and the bending loss are not higher than 0.03 dB. The arrangement direction of the magnetic particles in the ferrofluid is related to the direction of the external uniform magnetic field. When subjected to a uniform magnetic field in a certain direction, the magnetic particles in the ferrofluid will aggregate along the magnetic field direction to form a magnetic chain. When the light transmission direction is parallel to the arrangement direction of the magnetic chain, the light transmission path in the ferrofluid has a relatively large duty cycle with respect to the magnetic particles, and the output light intensity is relatively strong. When the light transmission direction is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the magnetic chain, the light transmission path in the ferrofluid has a relatively small duty cycle with respect to the magnetic particles, and the output light intensity is relatively weak. Therefore, the arrangement direction of the magnetic chain in the ferrofluid can be controlled by adjusting the position of the adjustable uniform magnetic field source S pole, and then the light intensity change of the two output ports can be controlled due to its influence on the light transmission, that is, it plays the role of an optical switch that alternately switches the opening and closing of the optical channel by monitoring the output optical power.

[0007] The optical fiber jumper uses a single-mode optical fiber jumper. The optical fiber jumper connector uses an FC type. The connectors on both sides of the optical fiber jumper need to be the same. The loss at each connection is not higher than 0.03 dB. The diameter of the single-mode optical fiber core is 8 μm to 10 μm. A glass jacket with a refractive index lower than that of the core surrounds the core to keep the optical fiber in the core. The outermost layer is a thin plastic jacket used to protect the jacket. The external reinforcement method of the FC type is to use a metal sleeve, and the fastening method is a screw thread.

[0008] The described ferrofluid is water-based, and the magnetic nanoparticles are Fe3O4. According to the characteristics of the ferrofluid, the alignment direction of the magnetic chains in the ferrofluid can be controlled by adjusting the direction of the uniform magnetic field or fixing the direction of the uniform magnetic field. Subsequently, due to its influence on the light transmission, the intensity change of the light at the two output ports can be controlled, that is, it functions as an optical switch where the channels can be switched alternately like a switch.

[0009] The relaxation time of the ferrofluid under the action of the changing magnetic field is another influencing factor. The relaxation time of the ferrofluid is related to the intensity of the externally applied uniform magnetic field source and the volume fraction of the magnetic particles in the ferrofluid. It is necessary to control the above two factors to calculate the relaxation time to ensure that the rotational speed of the motor matches the relaxation time of the ferrofluid. Only in this way can the situation where the rotational displacement speed is too fast or too slow affects the formation of the chain structure of the ferrofluid be avoided, thereby affecting the response performance of the optical switch.

[0010] When the S pole of the described adjustable uniform magnetic field source is in the process of rotational movement, when it is parallel to any N pole, the optical channel is in the open state, and when it is perpendicular to any N pole, the optical channel is in the closed state. The direction of the uniform magnetic field source can be parallel to the directions of the first input and first output fiber jumpers and perpendicular to the directions of the first input and first output fiber jumpers. For this device, if the direction of the given uniform magnetic field source is vertically downward and perpendicular to the up-and-down placement of the cross-shaped quartz capillary, then no matter how the device rotates, the alignment direction of the magnetic chains in the ferrofluid is perpendicular to the light transmission direction, and the light is blocked during its transmission, so the corresponding received light intensity is very weak, and the optical switch always shows the off state.

[0011] In some feasible solutions, if the adjustable uniform magnetic field source is installed in the directions of the first input and first output fiber jumpers, then the alignment direction of the magnetic chains composed of the magnetic particles in the ferrofluid in the capillary is parallel to the directions of the first input and first output fiber jumpers. When the same light intensity is passed through both input ports simultaneously, due to the action of the magnetic chain structure, the light loss in the directions of the first input and first output fiber jumpers is small, and the corresponding received light intensity at the output ports is strong, while the light loss in the directions of the second input and second output jumpers is large, and the corresponding received light intensity at the output ports is weak. Therefore, the opening state of the output ports in the directions of the first input and first output fiber jumpers and the closing state of the output ports in the directions of the second input and second output fiber jumpers can be controlled accordingly, which realizes the function of a magneto-optical switch. As the position of the S pole of the adjustable uniform magnetic field source is adjusted back and forth, the opening and closing states of the two output ports will also change alternately, thus realizing the alternate change of the optical switch.

[0012] In some feasible solutions, if the uniform magnetic field source is installed in the direction of the second input and second output fiber jumpers, the arrangement direction of the magnetic chain composed of magnetic particles in the magnetofluid in the capillary is parallel to the direction of the second input and second output fiber jumpers. When the same light intensity is passed through both input ports simultaneously, due to the effect of the magnetic chain structure, the light loss in the direction of the second input and second output fiber jumpers is small, and the light intensity received by the corresponding output ports is strong, while the light loss in the direction of the first input and first output fiber jumpers is large, and the light intensity received by the corresponding output ports is weak. Therefore, the opening state of the output ports in the direction of the second input and second output fiber jumpers and the disconnection state of the output ports in the direction of the first input and first output fiber jumpers can be controlled accordingly, which realizes the function of a magneto-optic switch. As the position of the S pole of the adjustable uniform magnetic field source is adjusted back and forth, the opening and disconnection states of the two output ports will also change alternately, thus realizing the alternating change of the optical switch.

[0013] A dual-channel magneto-optic switch device specifically includes the following manufacturing steps:

[0014] 1. Select a uniform magnetic field source N pole, an adjustable uniform magnetic field source S pole, optical fibers and fiber jumpers, a cross-shaped quartz capillary, magnetofluid, sealant, a motor, etc. with appropriate sizes and materials.

[0015] 2. First, insert the fiber jumper with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the cross-shaped quartz capillary into the capillary, ensure that the fiber jumper is centered in the cross-shaped quartz capillary, then pour magnetofluid into the center of the capillary, and seal the gap between the fiber jumper and the capillary with sealant to prevent the magnetofluid from flowing out.

[0016] 3. One end of each of the two input optical fibers is externally connected to a light source, and the other ends of the two input optical fibers are respectively connected to the light inlet of the cross-shaped quartz capillary. One end of each of the two output optical fibers is externally connected to an output and is connected to an output device such as a computer or a spectrometer, and the other ends of the two output optical fibers are respectively connected to the light outlet of the cross-shaped quartz capillary.

[0017] 4. Fix and install the cross-shaped quartz capillary with the fiber jumper connected, and seal and protect it with sealant. The motor is located inside the device base and drives the S pole of the adjustable uniform magnetic field source to perform a 90° circular motion on the horizontal plane.

[0018] 5. The direction of the N pole of the uniform magnetic field source needs to be placed horizontally with respect to the cross-shaped quartz capillary. Specifically, whether it is parallel to the direction of the first input and first output fiber jumpers or the direction of the second input and second output fiber jumpers depends on the specific usage situation. The direction of the S pole of the adjustable uniform magnetic field source also needs to be placed horizontally with respect to the cross-shaped quartz capillary, and is connected to the optical switch base through a bracket. Initially, it is placed at a 45° angle between the remaining two ports and is opposite to the N pole of the uniform magnetic field source.

[0019] 6. After all the devices are installed, power on the power supply, light source, etc. The motor drives the S pole of the adjustable uniform magnetic field source to rotate and move uniformly, and the optical switch starts to work. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 is the top view of the device of the present invention; Figure 2 is the working principle diagram of the device of the present invention;

[0022] In the figure: N pole of the uniform magnetic field source (1) (1N_1, 1N_2), S pole of the adjustable uniform magnetic field source (2), first input optical fiber (3), second output optical fiber (4), first output optical fiber (5), second input optical fiber (6), cross-shaped quartz capillary (7), magnetic fluid (8) (magnetic chain (8-1)), sealant (9), motor (10). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] In order to make the technical means, creative features, achieved purposes and functions of the present invention easy to understand, the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0024] See Figure 1 A dual-channel magneto-optical switch device, characterized in that it includes an N pole of a uniform magnetic field source (1) (1N_1, 1N_2), an S pole of an adjustable uniform magnetic field source (2), a first input optical fiber (3), a second output optical fiber (4), a first output optical fiber (5), a second input optical fiber (6), a cross-shaped quartz capillary (7), a magnetic fluid (8), a sealant (9), and a motor (10).

[0025] Furthermore, in this device, the fiber optic jumper uses a single-mode fiber optic jumper, the fiber optic jumper connector uses an FC type, and the connectors on both sides of the fiber optic jumper need to be the same.

[0026] Furthermore, the magnetic particles in the magnetic fluid of this device are mainly Fe3O4.

[0027] Furthermore, the cross-shaped quartz capillary with the fiber optic jumper connected is installed and fixed, and sealed and protected with sealant. The N pole of the uniform magnetic field source is placed vertically and fixed on both sides of any input or output port. The S pole of the adjustable uniform magnetic field source is connected to the optical switch base through a bracket, initially placed at a 45° angle at the remaining two ports, and opposite to the N pole of the uniform magnetic field source. The motor is located inside the lower base of the cross-shaped quartz capillary and drives the S pole of the uniform magnetic field source to perform a 90° circular motion on the horizontal plane.

[0028] Furthermore, adjusting the position of the S pole of the adjustable uniform magnetic field source of the motor can cause the reorientation state of the magnetofluid to appear alternately, so that the light intensities of the two light output ports change alternately between strong and weak, thereby realizing the switchable operation of the dual-channel optical switch.

[0029] See Figure 2 , a working schematic diagram of a dual-channel magneto-optical switch device, characterized by including the N pole (1) (1N_1, 1N_2) of the uniform magnetic field source, the adjustable S pole (2) of the uniform magnetic field source, the first input optical fiber (3), the second output optical fiber (4), the first output optical fiber (5), the second input optical fiber (6), the cross-shaped quartz capillary (7), the magnetofluid (8), the sealant (9), and the motor (10). When the adjustable S pole of the uniform magnetic field source rotates and moves to face the N pole (1N_1) of the uniform magnetic field source and is perpendicular to the N pole (1N_2) of the uniform magnetic field source, the light source enters the magnetofluid through the first input optical fiber (3). The arrangement direction of the magnetic flux linkage is parallel to the jumper direction of the first input and first output optical fibers and then through the output optical fiber. The light intensity output from this channel is relatively high, realizing the opening of this magneto-optical channel. Relatively speaking, the arrangement direction of the magnetic flux linkage is perpendicular to the jumper direction of the second input and second output optical fibers, and the light intensity output from this channel is relatively low, realizing the closing of this magneto-optical channel.

[0030] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , a dual-channel magneto-optical switch device specifically includes the following manufacturing steps:

[0031] 1. Select the N pole of the uniform magnetic field source, the adjustable S pole of the uniform magnetic field source, optical fibers and optical fiber jumpers, cross-shaped quartz capillaries, magnetofluid, sealant, motor, etc. with appropriate sizes and materials.

[0032] 2. First, insert the optical fiber jumper with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the cross-shaped quartz capillary into the capillary, ensure that the optical fiber jumper is centered in the cross-shaped quartz capillary, then pour the magnetofluid into the center of the capillary, and seal the gap between the optical fiber jumper and the capillary with sealant to prevent the magnetofluid from flowing out.

[0033] 3. One end of each of the two input optical fibers is externally connected to a light source, and the other end of each of the two input optical fibers is connected to the light inlet of the cross-shaped quartz capillary. One end of each of the two output optical fibers is externally connected to an output and is connected to an output device such as a computer or a spectrometer, and the other end of each of the two output optical fibers is connected to the light outlet of the cross-shaped quartz capillary.

[0034] 4. Install and fix the cross-shaped quartz capillary connected with the optical fiber jumper, and seal and protect it with sealant. The motor is located inside the device base and drives the adjustable S pole of the uniform magnetic field source to perform a 90° circular motion on the horizontal plane.

[0035] 5. The N pole direction of the uniform magnetic field source needs to be placed horizontally with respect to the cross-shaped quartz capillary. Specifically, whether it is parallel to the first input and first output optical fiber jumpers or parallel to the second input and second output optical fiber jumpers depends on the specific usage. The S pole direction of the adjustable uniform magnetic field source also needs to be placed horizontally with respect to the cross-shaped quartz capillary and is connected to the optical switch base through a bracket. It is initially placed at the angle of 45° between the remaining two ports and is opposite to the N pole of the uniform magnetic field source.

[0036] 6. After all the devices are installed, turn on the power supply, light source, etc. The motor drives the S pole of the adjustable uniform magnetic field source to rotate and move uniformly, and the optical switch starts to work.

[0037] The working process of the present invention has been described in detail above. For those of ordinary skill in the art, according to the idea provided by the present invention, there may be changes in the specific implementation manners, and these changes should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dual-path magnetically controlled optical switch device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a uniform magnetic field source N pole (1) (1N_1, 1N_2), an adjustable uniform magnetic field source S pole (2), a first input optical fiber (3), a second output optical fiber (4), a first output optical fiber (5), a second input optical fiber (6), a cross-shaped quartz capillary (7), a magnetic fluid (8), a sealant (9), and a motor (10); two optical fiber jumper input ports and two optical fiber jumper output ports need to be inserted into the cross-shaped quartz capillary, the relative input optical fiber jumpers and output optical fiber jumpers need to be centrally aligned in position, and the gap between the cross-shaped quartz capillary and the optical fiber jumper needs to be sealed with a sealant to prevent the magnetic fluid from flowing out. The uniform magnetic field source N pole is placed on both sides of any input or output port and fixed vertically, and the uniform magnetic field source S pole is connected to the optical switch base through a bracket, and is initially placed at an angle of 45° between the remaining two ports and opposite to the uniform magnetic field source N pole. The motor is located in the lower base of the cross-shaped quartz capillary and drives the uniform magnetic field source S pole to perform a 90° circular motion on a horizontal plane.

2. A dual-path magnetically controlled optical switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each fiber jumper needs to be inserted into the center of the capillary and contact the central magnetic fluid, and each pair of input and output optical fibers needs to be aligned to ensure that the light emitted by the light source is first transmitted into the cross-shaped quartz capillary through the input optical fiber, and then transmitted to the magnetic fluid area. The loss at each connection and bending is no higher than 0.03dB.

3. A dual-path magnetically controlled optical switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical fiber jumper adopts a single-mode optical fiber jumper, and the optical fiber jumper connector adopts an FC type. The connectors on both sides of the optical fiber jumper must be consistent, and the loss at each connection is not higher than 0.03dB.

4. A dual-path magnetically controlled optical switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving motor can be a small single-phase motor, which can drive the S pole of the uniform magnetic field source to move in a 90° circle on a horizontal plane.

5. A dual-path magnetically controlled optical switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light emitted from the input port is first transmitted into the cross-shaped quartz capillary through the optical fiber jumper, and then transmitted to the magnetic fluid area. The arrangement direction of the magnetic particles in the magnetic fluid is related to the external uniform magnetic field. When the S pole of the uniform magnetic field source is adjusted to move parallel to any N pole, the direction of light transmission is parallel to the arrangement direction of the magnetic particles, and the light transmission path in the magnetic fluid has a larger occupancy ratio relative to the magnetic particles; similarly, when the S pole of the uniform magnetic field source is adjusted to move perpendicular to any N pole, the light transmission path in the magnetic fluid has a smaller occupancy ratio relative to the magnetic particles. Therefore, the arrangement direction of the magnetic particles can be controlled relative to the propagation direction of the light by controlling the different directions of the uniform magnetic field source, thereby controlling the intensity change of the light at the two output ports, that is, playing the role of an optical switch, and the S pole of the uniform magnetic field source can be adjusted from 0 to 90°, so the intensity of the light at the output ports of the two optical fiber jumpers can be switched alternately.

6. A dual-path magnetically controlled optical switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The magnetic fluid is water-based and the magnetic nanoparticles are Fe3O4.

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