Patent ID: 7574073
Filing Date: 2009-08-11
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
1. An optical switch comprising: a plurality of input ports; at least one output port; at least one polarization diversity device receiving input light from one of said input ports and oriented to transmit linearly polarized light within said optical switch; a polarization rotator receiving said linearly polarized light and adapted to rotate its polarization direction through essentially 45°; and a switchable reflective element receiving said input light after passage through said polarization rotator, and adapted to reflect said light such that it impinges only on a preselected one of said at least one output port, wherein said polarization rotator is disposed such that it covers the free space propagation paths within said switch of light passing through said input ports, but not the free space propagation paths within said switch of light passing through said at least one output port.