Optical Switch Mirrors with Curved Surfaces for Aberration Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical switches suffer from aberration issues due to optical signals passing through different positions on the converging lens, leading to reduced transmissivity and communication band, especially when multiple wavelengths are used, and require additional components for correction which increases costs and reduces reliability.
Innovation Solution
An optical switch design featuring mirrors with concave reflective surfaces of predetermined curvature about an axis parallel to the array plane, allowing for adjustment of reflection angles to compensate for aberration and maintain consistent transmissivity across channels without additional compensating lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical signals pass through different positions on the converging lens to achieve wavelength-selective switching, then the optical switch can selectively output optical signals according to wavelength, but aberration occurs leading to reduced transmissivity and communication band
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving each mirror a specific curvature radius tailored to its position in the array. Mirrors at different positions have different curvature radii optimized for their local optical path characteristics, allowing each mirror to compensate for position-specific aberrations while maintaining overall system performance across all wavelengths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of mirror curvature radius to resolve the contradiction. By optimizing the curvature radius of each mirror according to its position and the characteristics of optical signals passing through different lens positions, the system maintains consistent transmissivity across all wavelengths without requiring additional compensating lenses
2Reliability
If additional compensating lenses are added to correct aberration, then transmissivity consistency can be improved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the aberration compensation function from separate compensating lenses and integrates it into the mirrors themselves. By incorporating curvature directly into the mirror surfaces, the system eliminates the need for additional compensating lenses while maintaining transmissivity consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The mirrors serve multiple functions: wavelength-selective reflection and aberration compensation. By giving mirrors position-dependent curvature, they simultaneously perform switching and correction functions, eliminating the need for separate compensating lenses and reducing overall device complexity
3Productivity
If the number of wavelengths is increased to achieve higher transmission capacity, then transmission capacity improves, but aberration effects are amplified reducing communication band
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing each mirror's curvature radius according to its specific position in the array and the characteristics of optical signals at that position. This position-dependent optimization allows the system to handle multiple wavelengths effectively without suffering from amplified aberration effects
Solution Approach 2:
By changing and optimizing the curvature radius parameter for each mirror based on position and wavelength characteristics, the system can support higher transmission capacities with multiple wavelengths while maintaining communication band integrity and minimizing aberration effects
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 optical switch effectively compensates for aberration-induced slope in transmission band characteristics, maintaining consistent transmissivity and reducing communication band loss across channels, thereby enhancing the optical switch's performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The dispersing element 1740 angularly disperses the optical signal, output from the lens system 1730, about the X-axis in different directions corresponding to wavelength
Implementation Method 2
Each of the mirrors 1761 to 1763 respectively reflects an optical signal having a wavelength corresponding thereto
Data Source
AI summary
An optical switch includes an input port into which a multiplexed optical signal is input; a dispersing unit that, according to wavelength, disperses the multiplexed optical signal into a plurality of optical signals that are each dispersed in a unique direction; a converging unit that converges the dispersed optical signals; plural mirrors that are arrayed forming a single row in a plane and reflecting the converged optical signals, respectively; and plural output ports through which the reflected optical signals are output. Each of the mirrors has a concave reflective surface that is in the plane and of a predetermined curvature about an axis parallel to the plane.