An optical switch, method of using an optical switch, and optical communication system

Abstract

The application discloses an optical switcher, and relates to the technical field of optical switching, which comprises an optical input unit, a phase plate, an optical receiving unit and a reflecting unit. The optical input unit inputs optical signals in a specified direction. The input side of the phase plate receives the optical signals input by the optical input unit. The optical receiving unit receives the optical signals output by the phase plate. The reflecting unit is movably arranged between the optical input unit and the phase plate. When the position of the reflecting unit relative to the optical input unit is adjusted, the reflecting unit reflects the optical signals input by the optical input unit to different areas on the input side of the phase plate. The position of the reflecting unit can be adjusted to reflect the input optical signals to specified positions on the phase plate, so that the requirement of dynamic interconnection of heterogeneous optical fibers and optical layer reconstruction is met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical switching technology, specifically to an optical switch, a method of using the optical switch, and an optical communication system. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of technologies such as 5G, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, optical communication networks are facing unprecedented capacity pressure and flexibility demands. To break through the Shannon limit of single-mode fiber, space division multiplexing (SDM) technology based on multi-core fiber (MCF) and few-mode / multi-mode fiber (FMF / MMF) has become the core development direction of next-generation optical transmission systems. However, the interconnection problem between heterogeneous fiber networks is becoming increasingly prominent: direct data exchange between different fiber types, different mode numbers, and port configurations requires optical switching nodes to not only have high-precision mode conversion capabilities, but also to achieve dynamic and reconfigurable port and mode mapping.

[0003] Multiplane optical converters (MPLCs) are widely used in the field of mode (demultiplexing) due to their high-fidelity spatial optical field manipulation capabilities.

[0004] However, traditional multiplane optical converters (MPLCs) are based on static diffraction layer stacking. Once the phase distribution is fixed, their optical field transformation function is permanently locked, which cannot meet the needs of dynamic interconnection of heterogeneous optical fibers and optical layer reconstruction. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides an optical switch, a method for using the optical switch, and an optical communication system, which can solve the problem that traditional multi-plane optical converters cannot adapt to the needs of dynamic interconnection of heterogeneous optical fibers and optical layer reconfiguration.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an optical switch, comprising: An optical input unit, wherein the optical input unit inputs an optical signal in a specified direction; A phase plate, wherein the input side of the phase plate receives the optical signal input by the optical input unit; An optical receiving unit receives the optical signal output by the phase plate; A reflection unit is movably disposed between the light input unit and the phase plate. When the position of the reflective unit relative to the light input unit is adjusted, the reflective unit reflects the light signal input by the light input unit to different areas on the input side of the phase plate.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the phase plate is a cascaded diffraction layer, and the cascaded diffraction layer is a multilayer structure.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, a plurality of activation regions are provided on the first layer of the cascaded diffraction layer.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the phase plate is a metasurface.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the phase plate is a diffractive optical element.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the reflecting unit is a concave mirror.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the optical input unit is an input fiber array.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the optical receiving unit is one of an optical fiber receiver, free space, or a camera.

[0014] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for using the optical switch, comprising the following steps: The position of the reflection unit is adjusted according to the preset input and output correspondence of the optical signal and the preset reflection unit control scheme, so that the input optical signal is reflected by the reflection unit to the designated area on the input side of the phase plate.

[0015] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide an optical communication system, including the aforementioned optical switch.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention include: This invention discloses an optical switch, comprising: an optical input unit that inputs an optical signal in a specified direction; a phase plate that receives the optical signal input by the optical input unit at its input side; an optical receiving unit that receives the optical signal output by the phase plate; and a reflecting unit movably disposed between the optical input unit and the phase plate. When the position of the reflecting unit relative to the optical input unit is adjusted, the reflecting unit reflects the optical signal input by the optical input unit to different areas on the input side of the phase plate. This invention, by adjusting the position of the reflecting unit, can reflect the input optical signal to a specified position on the phase plate, thereby meeting the requirements of heterogeneous fiber dynamic interconnection and optical layer reconfiguration. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the optical switch of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the activation region of an embodiment of the optical switch of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a phase distribution diagram of the phase plate in an embodiment of the optical switch of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of light reflection in an embodiment of the optical switch of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of optical reception in an embodiment of the optical switch of the present invention.

[0019] In the diagram: 10, light input unit; 20, phase plate; 21, first layer; 211, active area; 22, second layer; 23, third layer; 24, fourth layer; 30, light receiving unit; 40, reflection unit. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, an embodiment of the present invention discloses an optical switch, comprising: an optical input unit 10, which inputs an optical signal in a specified direction; a phase plate 20, the input side of which receives the optical signal input by the optical input unit 10; an optical receiving unit 30, which receives the optical signal output by the phase plate 20; and a reflection unit 40, which is movably disposed between the optical input unit 10 and the phase plate 20. When the position of the reflection unit 40 relative to the optical input unit 10 is adjusted, the reflection unit 40 reflects the optical signal input by the optical input unit 10 to different areas of the input side of the phase plate 20.

[0022] When in use, the light input unit 10 inputs... The beam of light is incident on the reflecting unit 40 in parallel, and after being reflected by the reflecting unit 40, it... The beam of light signals will converge at a designated position A on the phase plate 20 at different angles or directions. Region A on the phase plate 20 is illuminated by the light signal, activating the phase interaction on the phase plate 20. After passing through the subsequent diffraction layer on the phase plate 20, the light signals incident at different angles will be converted into another set of output light signals. By moving or deflecting the reflection unit 40, the incident angle and focusing position of the incident light signal on the phase plate 20 can be changed, thereby activating different regions on the phase plate 20 and obtaining multiple different combinations of output light signals. By adjusting the position of the reflection unit 40, the input light signal mode can be switched to the output light signal mode according to different light exchange requirements.

[0023] This invention can reflect the input optical signal to a designated position on the phase plate by adjusting the position of the reflection unit, thereby meeting the requirements of dynamic interconnection of heterogeneous optical fibers and optical layer reconstruction.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the phase plate 20 is a cascaded diffraction layer, which is a multilayer structure.

[0025] Phase plate 20 is a cascaded diffraction layer with a maximum or minimum of 2 layers. The specific number of layers can be adjusted according to design requirements.

[0026] Figure 1 The diagram shows a cascaded diffraction layer with a four-layer structure. The four layers are arranged in sequence as a first layer 21, a second layer 22, a third layer 23, and a fourth layer 24. An activation region 211 is provided on the first layer 21.

[0027] The input light signal input to the light input unit 10 is reflected by the reflection unit 40 and then illuminates the first layer of the cascaded diffraction layer. After being modulated by the cascaded diffraction layer, the input light signal is converted into a light signal of another mode and then output to the light receiving unit 30 by the last layer of the cascaded diffraction layer.

[0028] This invention can convert the mode of the output optical signal by setting up cascaded diffraction layers.

[0029] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, in one embodiment, a plurality of activation regions 211 are provided on the first layer of the cascaded diffraction layer.

[0030] The first layer of the cascaded diffraction layer has multiple activation regions 211. When an input light signal is irradiated into each activation region 211 of the cascaded diffraction layer, the input light signal can be converted into a corresponding mode and then output.

[0031] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first layer of the cascaded diffraction layer has... There are activation regions 211. Based on the input light signal from the light input unit 10, which is reflected by the reflection unit 40 and then irradiates the activation regions 211 on the first layer of the cascaded diffraction layer, it can be determined that there are... Group input optical signal combination and A set of output optical signals, wherein each set of input optical signals has a combination of output optical signals. The input optical signal mode has a beam input optical signal mode, and each combination of output optical signals has A beam output optical signal mode. This allows cascaded diffraction layers to achieve... Group input optical signal mode to Switching of output optical signal mode.

[0032] The design of cascaded diffraction layers can employ wavefront matching, gradient descent, neural network methods, other inverse design methods, and related improved algorithms. This invention uses wavefront matching as an example to design a cascaded multiplanar phase plate.

[0033] Wavefront matching is a reverse design algorithm, and it is known that... Each input optical signal mode and its corresponding By setting the required system parameters (wavelength, pixel size, number of pixels, number of layers, interlayer spacing, etc.) for each output optical signal mode, the phase distribution of the desired multi-layer diffraction layer can be obtained.

[0034] Specifically, an optical switch has a cascaded diffraction layer with a wavelength of 1550nm, a pixel side length of 1μm, a pixel count of 400×400, four phase surfaces, and a phase surface spacing of 1mm.

[0035] Figure 3 The phase distribution of the four phase planes is obtained through wavefront matching optimization. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the incident Gaussian light mode field has a diameter of 60 μm. Two parallel light signals α and β are incident on the reflecting unit 40 and converge in region 1 of the first phase plane. When the position or orientation of the reflecting unit 40 changes, the two light signals α and β are reflected by the reflecting unit 40 and converge in region 2 of the first phase plane. Let the incident states of light signals α and β when they converge in region 1 be α1 and β1, and the incident states in region 2 be α2 and β2. The output modes corresponding to α1, β1, α2, and β2 are shown in [reference needed]. Figure 5 This achieved the desired spatial overlap of four Hermitian Gaussian (HG) modes with a diameter of 60 μm. Specifically, by controlling the position of the reflection unit 40, a set of input optical signal modes can be focused at two different positions on the first-layer phase plane, and the set of input optical signal modes can be converted into two different sets of output optical signal modes, thus realizing an optical switching function that also performs mode conversion.

[0036] This invention, through a cascaded diffraction layer with multiple activation regions, can switch the output light signal mode by adjusting the input light signal to illuminate the activation regions.

[0037] In one embodiment, the phase plate 20 is a metasurface.

[0038] Common phase modulation mechanisms include: transmission phase: adjusting the equivalent refractive index by changing the size of the nanostructure, thereby controlling phase accumulation along the light propagation path; geometric phase (Pancharatnam-Berry phase): applying a spin-dependent phase to circularly polarized light by rotating the orientation of anisotropic units (such as nanofins); and composite phase: combining transmission phase and geometric phase to achieve independent wavefront modulation of left- and right-handed circularly polarized light, improving the functional density and flexibility of the device.

[0039] Metasurfaces are planar optical elements based on subwavelength structure design, capable of precisely controlling the wavefront of an incident light signal by applying spatially varying phase abrupt changes. They essentially replace the function of traditional curved lenses or spiral phase plates, but offer advantages such as being thinner, lighter, and easier to integrate.

[0040] The core advantage of metasurfaces lies in their ability to control the geometry and arrangement of each micro / nano unit pixel by pixel, introducing abrupt phase units at the interface, thereby breaking the classical laws of catadioptric reflection and achieving complex functions such as beam deflection, focusing, and generating vortex beams, as well as special functions such as anomalous catadioptric reflection, multi-dimensional light control, and perfect absorption.

[0041] In one embodiment, the phase plate 20 is a diffractive optical element.

[0042] The core characteristic of diffractive optical elements as phase plates is that they precisely modulate the wavefront shape of optical signals through micro- and nano-structures, achieving multifunctional, high-efficiency, and lightweight control that is difficult to achieve with traditional optical elements. Essentially, a diffractive optical element is a pure phase-type diffractive optical device. Its working principle differs from traditional lenses that rely on refraction or reflection. Instead, it utilizes micron- or nano-scale relief structures designed on its surface to alter the phase delay of the incident light signal at different spatial positions, thereby controlling the wavefront shape of the output light signal.

[0043] By optimizing the design of continuous phase distribution or multi-step structure, diffractive optical elements can improve diffraction efficiency to over 90%, with some devices even approaching 100%, significantly higher than amplitude modulation methods such as masks. Simultaneously, by using high-transmittance materials such as fused silica, overall light energy loss is extremely low.

[0044] Diffractive optical elements can also be designed with computer-aided design to generate complex light fields, such as vortex beams, Bessel beams, flat-top spots, or multifocal arrays, with arbitrary phase distributions.

[0045] Furthermore, the phase plate 20 can also be a spatial light modulator. As long as it can convert one mode of input optical signal into multiple modes of output optical signal, it can be used to make the phase plate 20.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the reflecting unit 40 is a concave mirror.

[0047] The concave mirror has a light-focusing function, and the light input unit 10 inputs... The beam signal is a parallel beam. By adjusting the position of the concave mirror, the input light signal can be reflected to a designated position on the phase plate 20.

[0048] During the design process, simulations using geometric optics theory or ray tracing are employed to obtain... After passing through concave mirrors at different preset positions, the input light signal converges on the first layer of the cascaded diffraction layer. Group light field distribution. The amplitude of each group of light fields should be concentrated in a designated active region on the first layer of the cascaded diffraction layer, with different groups of light fields distributed in different active regions. The phase of the light field will contain information about the incident angle of the beam.

[0049] The present invention can obtain the corresponding output light signal by adjusting the incident position of the input light signal using a concave mirror.

[0050] In one embodiment, the optical input unit 10 is an input fiber array.

[0051] Fiber optic arrays can output one-dimensional or two-dimensional input optical signal queues.

[0052] In one embodiment, the optical receiving unit 30 is one of an optical fiber receiver, free space, or a camera.

[0053] The optical receiving unit 30 is used to receive the optical signal after mode conversion by the phase plate 20. The optical receiving unit 30 can be one of an optical fiber receiver, free space, or a camera. In addition, the optical receiving unit 30 can also be other receiving devices, as long as they can receive the mode-converted optical signal.

[0054] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, embodiments of the present invention also disclose a method for using an optical switch, comprising the following steps: The position of the reflection unit 40 is adjusted according to the preset input and output correspondence of the optical signal and the preset reflection unit control scheme, so that the input optical signal is reflected by the reflection unit 40 to the designated area on the input side of the phase plate 20.

[0055] The preset input and preset output correspondence of optical signals refers to the correspondence between mode combination conversions between input and output ports for different fiber types, different mode bases, or different port configurations. The maximum number of input ports is... One, with at least one output port. That is, the maximum number of input modes is [number missing]. One, with at least one output mode. One. To Each input pattern, through permutation and combination, will correspond to... On each output mode. The combination mode has at least one... For example, if there are input modes 1, 2, and 3, and output modes A, B, C, and D, then the output mode combinations corresponding to the three input modes 1, 2, and 3 can be ABC, ACB, ABD, BAC, DCA, CAD, etc. Each of the input optical signal modes corresponds to a specific optical signal mode. One of the output optical signal modes.

[0056] The preset reflection unit control scheme is a scheme for adjusting the movement of the reflection unit 40 when the reflection unit 40 reflects the input light signal to the position corresponding to the specific active area 211 on the first layer 21 of the phase plate 20. Each active area 211 corresponds to one reflection unit 40 movement scheme. The combination of all reflection unit 40 movement schemes is the preset reflection unit control scheme.

[0057] In use, the optical switch determines the input of the optical input unit 10 according to the preset input and preset output correspondence of the optical signal. The beam signal needs to be reflected to a specific activation region 211 on the first layer 21 of the phase plate 20. Then, the input signal is determined according to the preset reflection unit control scheme. The beam signal needs to be reflected to the specific active region 211 on the first layer 21 of the phase plate 20, according to the movement scheme of the reflection unit 40. After adjusting the position of the reflection unit 40 according to the movement scheme, The beam of light will converge at a designated location A on the first layer 21 of the phase plate 20 at different angles or directions. At this time, the region A on the first layer 21 of the phase plate 20 is illuminated by the beam of light, and the phase effect on the phase plate 20 is activated. After passing through the subsequent diffraction layer on the phase plate 20, the light signals incident at different angles will be converted into another set of output light signals according to the preset output of the light signals.

[0058] By adjusting the position of the reflection unit 40 according to the preset input and output correspondence of the optical signal and the preset reflection unit control scheme, the incident angle and focusing position of the input optical signal on the phase plate 20 can be changed, thereby activating different areas on the phase plate 20 and obtaining multiple different combinations of output optical signals. By adjusting the position of the reflection unit 40, the mode of switching the input optical signal to the output optical signal can be changed according to different optical exchange requirements.

[0059] According to the preset input and output correspondence of the optical signal and the preset reflection unit control scheme, the present invention adjusts the position of the reflection unit 40, which can reflect the input optical signal to the designated position of the phase plate and output the corresponding mode of the output optical signal to meet the needs of heterogeneous fiber dynamic interconnection and optical layer reconstruction.

[0060] This invention also discloses an optical communication system, including the aforementioned optical switch.

[0061] An optical switch includes: an optical input unit 10, which inputs an optical signal in a specified direction; a phase plate 20, whose input side receives the optical signal input by the optical input unit 10; an optical receiving unit 30, which receives the optical signal output by the phase plate 20; and a reflection unit 40, which is movably disposed between the optical input unit 10 and the phase plate 20. When the position of the reflection unit 40 relative to the optical input unit 10 is adjusted, the reflection unit 40 reflects the optical signal input by the optical input unit 10 to different areas of the input side of the phase plate 20.

[0062] When in use, the light input unit 10 inputs... The beam of light is incident on the reflecting unit 40 in parallel, and after being reflected by the reflecting unit 40, it... The beam of light signals will converge at a designated position A on the phase plate 20 at different angles or directions. Region A on the phase plate 20 is illuminated by the light signal, activating the phase interaction on the phase plate 20. After passing through the subsequent diffraction layer on the phase plate 20, the light signals incident at different angles will be converted into another set of output light signals. By moving or deflecting the reflection unit 40, the incident angle and focusing position of the incident light signal on the phase plate 20 can be changed, thereby activating different regions on the phase plate 20 and obtaining multiple different combinations of output light signals. By adjusting the position of the reflection unit 40, the input light signal mode can be switched to the output light signal mode according to different light exchange requirements.

[0063] This invention can reflect the input optical signal to a designated position on the phase plate by adjusting the position of the reflection unit, thereby meeting the requirements of dynamic interconnection of heterogeneous optical fibers and optical layer reconstruction.

[0064] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0065] It should be noted that in this invention, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0066] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features of the invention herein.

Claims

1. An optical switch, characterized in that, include: An optical input unit (10) inputs an optical signal in a specified direction; Phase plate (20), the input side of which receives the optical signal input by the optical input unit (10); An optical receiving unit (30) receives the optical signal output by the phase plate (20); A reflection unit (40) is movably disposed between the light input unit (10) and the phase plate (20). When the position of the reflection unit (40) relative to the light input unit (10) is adjusted, the reflection unit (40) reflects the light signal input by the light input unit (10) to different areas on the input side of the phase plate (20).

2. The optical switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase plate (20) is a cascaded diffraction layer, which is a multilayer structure.

3. The optical switch according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first layer of the cascaded diffraction layer has multiple activation regions (211).

4. The optical switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase plate (20) is a metasurface.

5. The optical switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase plate (20) is a diffractive optical element.

6. The optical switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reflecting unit (40) is a concave mirror.

7. The optical switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical input unit (10) is an input fiber array.

8. The optical switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical receiving unit (30) is one of an optical fiber receiver, free space, or a camera.

9. A method of using the optical switch according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The position of the reflection unit (40) is adjusted according to the preset input and output correspondence of the optical signal and the preset reflection unit control scheme, so that the input optical signal is reflected by the reflection unit (40) to the designated area on the input side of the phase plate (20).

10. An optical communication system, characterized in that, Includes the optical switch as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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