Patent ID: 6549700
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical switch, comprising:a plurality of input Risley prism pairs for accepting a plurality of light beams into the optical switch, with each input Risley prism pair comprising a first wedge prism and a second wedge prism located about an input optical axis and with the first and second wedge prisms being independently rotatable about the input optical axis; a plurality of output Risley prism pairs, with each output Risley prism pair comprising a third wedge prism and a fourth wedge prism located about an output optical axis and with the third and fourth wedge prisms being independently rotatable about the output optical axis; a plurality of input rotary microactuators for independently rotating the first and second wedge prisms of each input Risley prism pair about the input optical axis to redirect each light beam to a selected output Risley prism pair; and a plurality of output rotary microactuators for independently rotating the third and fourth wedge prisms of each output Risley prism pair about the output optical axis to direct each light beam out of the optical switch.