Abstract:
An optical micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) switch is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the optical MEMS switch is used as an MnullN optical signal switching system. The optical MEMS switch comprises a plurality of optical waveguides formed on a shuttle for switching optical states wherein the state of the optical switch is changed by a system of drive and latch actuators. The optical MEMS switch utilizes a latching mechanism in association with a thermal drive actuator for aligning the waveguide shuttle. In use the optical MEMS switch may be integrated with other optical components to form planar light circuits (PLCs). When switches and PLCs are integrated together on a silicon chip, compact higher functionality devices, such as Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexers (ROADMs), may be fabricated.
Abstract:
An optical micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) switch is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the optical MEMS switch is used as an MnullN optical signal switching system. The optical MEMS switch comprises a plurality of optical waveguides formed on a cantilever beam platform for switching optical states wherein the state of the optical switch is changed by a system of drive and latch actuators. The optical MEMS device utilizes a latching mechanism in association with a thermal drive actuator for aligning the cantilever beam platform. In use the optical MEMS device may be integrated with other optical components to form planar light circuits (PLCs). When switches and PLCs are integrated together on a silicon chip, compact higher functionality devices, such as Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexers (ROADMs), may be fabricated.
Abstract:
A silicon demultiplexer, a plurality of silicon switches and a silicon multiplexer are monolithicaily integrated on a single silicon chip. In embodiments, the silicon demultiplexer and the silicon multiplexer each comprise a diffraction grating. In other embodiments, the silicon demultiplexer and the silicon multiplexer each comprise an arrayed waveguide grating. In various exemplary embodiments, the silicon optical switches comprise optical switches, micromachined torsion mirrors, electrostatic micromirrors, and/or tilting micromirrors. In use, an optical signal comprising a multiplexed data stream is input into the monolithic reconfigurable optical multiplexer. An optical signal that comprises a modified multiplexed data stream may be output. In an optical communications system, the silicon demultiplexer communicates with an input optical fiber, the plurality of silicon optical switches communicate between the silicon demultiplexer and the silicon multiplexer, and the silicon multiplexer communicates with an output optical fiber. In various embodiments, the optical switches are fabricated to be self-aligned.
Abstract:
A silicon demultiplexer, a plurality of silicon switches and a silicon multiplexer are monolithically integrated on a single silicon chip. In embodiments, the silicon demultiplexer and the silicon multiplexer each comprise a diffraction grating. In other embodiments, the silicon demultiplexer and the silicon multiplexer each comprise an arrayed waveguide grating. In various exemplary embodiments, the silicon optical switches comprise optical switches, micromachined torsion mirrors, electrostatic micromirrors, and/or tilting micromirrors. In use, an optical signal comprising a multiplexed data stream is input into the monolithic reconfigurable optical multiplexer. An optical signal that comprises a modified multiplexed data stream may be output. In an optical communications system, the silicon demultiplexer communicates with an input optical fiber, the plurality of silicon optical switches communicate between the silicon demultiplexer and the silicon multiplexer, and the silicon multiplexer communicates with an output optical fiber. In various embodiments, the optical switches are fabricated to be self-aligned.