Configurable Beam Injector Grid Plates for Optical Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preventing light beams from reaching MEMS mirrors in optical circuit switches often require high voltages, which can damage components and lead to premature aging, and lack efficient configurability.
Innovation Solution
A configurable beam injector using two grid plates with unblocked and blocked beam pathways, made from materials like epoxy or optically sensitive materials, to selectively block or allow light beams, reducing the need for high voltage and enabling dynamic control of light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high voltage is used to prevent light beams from reaching MEMS mirrors, then beam blocking is achieved, but component damage and premature aging occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful high voltage function from the beam blocking mechanism and replaces it with passive optical blocking elements (grid plates with absorbing materials). The grid plates physically block light beams without requiring high voltage, thereby eliminating the damaging electrical stress on MEMS mirrors while maintaining effective beam control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces grid plates with light-absorbing materials as intermediary elements between the light source and MEMS mirrors. These intermediaries block unwanted beams through optical absorption rather than electrical actuation, providing a non-contact, non-invasive method of beam control that protects sensitive components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional beam blocking methods are used, then light transmission is prevented, but configurability and dynamic control are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam blocking function into multiple independent grid plates, each with specific blocked and unblocked pathways. This segmentation allows flexible configuration where different grid plates can be selectively positioned or removed to achieve various blocking patterns, enabling adaptable beam control without requiring complex reconfiguration mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic configurability by allowing grid plates to be selectively inserted, removed, or repositioned in the optical path. This dynamic arrangement enables real-time adjustment of beam blocking patterns to match different operational requirements, providing versatility while maintaining relatively simple fixed-grid plate structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents light interference without damaging components, allowing for flexible configuration and reduced maintenance costs by dynamically controlling light paths to specific MEMS mirrors within the optical circuit switch.
Implementation Method 1
The grid plates can contain an optical blocking material to form blocked beam pathways
Data Source
AI summary
An optical assembly includes a light source for providing a beam of light, a lens system configured to expand and collimate the beam of light, and a configurable beam injector, wherein the beam injector contains a first grid plate and a second grid plate to block individual beams of light. The first grid plate and the second grid plate may be configured such that each grid plate respectively corresponds to particular MEMS mirrors. The grid plates can be configured to have pathways that allow for beams of light to be passed through and other pathways which are blocked to prevent the passage of light. The first grid plate and second grid plate may thus block or allow for transmission of beams of lights to those particular MEMS mirrors. The second grid plate can be configured to be easily swappable during or removable to allow for a different set of beams of light, corresponding to a different set of MEMS mirrors, to be blocked. The second grid plate can be configured to be rotated or slid linearly within a housing.