Twin Wavelength Switch Layout Without a Wollaston Prism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wavelength selective switches (WSSs) are insufficiently compact and often employ expensive components like Wollaston prisms, limiting their applicability and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical device incorporating twin WSSs without a Wollaston prism, utilizing a beam directing optical arrangement with prisms and polarization converting reflectors to separate and steer wavelength components based on polarization states, and a programmable optical phase modulator to steer these components to selected ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a Wollaston prism is used to separate polarization states in a WSS, then the device can achieve wavelength-selective switching, but the device size increases and cost increases due to expensive components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the Wollaston prism from the optical path and replaces it with separate input ports for different polarization states. This extraction of the polarization separation function eliminates the need for the bulky Wollaston prism while maintaining the wavelength-selective switching capability through direct spatial separation of polarization inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The single LCoS array serves multiple functions: it handles both polarization states simultaneously through separate input ports, performs wavelength decomposition, and enables switching for multiple wavelengths. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional polarization separation components like the Wollaston prism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a Wollaston prism is used in the WSS design, then polarization separation is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to expensive components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the polarization separation function from the Wollaston prism and implements it through separate physical input ports for different polarization states. This eliminates the need to manufacture and integrate expensive Wollaston prisms, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining polarization separation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex optical components (Wollaston prism) with simpler, cheaper alternatives (separate input ports and beam directing optics). This substitution reduces manufacturing cost while achieving the same functional outcome of polarization state separation.
3Productivity
If multiple functional WSSs are incorporated in a single unit, then the switching capacity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple WSS functional units into a single integrated device by using one LCoS array to handle multiple wavelengths and both polarization states simultaneously. The single LCoS array performs wavelength decomposition and switching for all channels, eliminating the need for separate LCoS arrays for each wavelength or polarization state, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining high switching capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single LCoS array is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes both polarization states, handles multiple wavelength channels, and provides switching capability for all combinations. This universal design reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device architecture while maximizing switching capacity.
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 provides a compact, cost-effective WSS design with equal path lengths for wavelength components, enabling efficient and flexible optical switching without the need for expensive components.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element disposed between the input surface of the second prism and the oblique surface of the first prism, the optical element being configured to reflect the wavelength components in the first polarization state and transmit the wavelength components in the second polarization state
Implementation Method 2
a polarization converting reflector positioned to receive the wavelength components reflected from the optical element in the first polarization state and reflect the wavelength components in the second polarization state so that the wavelength components are directed through the first prism, the optical element and the second prism in the second polarization state
Implementation Method 3
A dispersion element receives an optical beam from any of the optical ports after traversing the optical arrangement and spatially separating the optical beam into a plurality of wavelength components
Implementation Method 4
A focusing element focuses the plurality of wavelength components
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device is provided that incorporates twin wavelength selective switches (WSSs), is compact, and avoids using a Wollaston prism. Additionally, the path lengths traversed by wavelength components through each WWS may be the same. The optical device may include a first subset and second subset of optical ports, where each of the first and second subsets can operate as an independent WSS. An optical arrangement of the optical device may support optical coupling between (i) any ports in the first subset of ports for light in a first polarization state and (ii) any ports in the second subset of ports for light in a second polarization state. The optical device may further include beam directing optics for coupling wavelength components of an optical beam from a focusing element to a programmable optical phase modulator and from the programmable optical phase modulator to the focusing element.