Patent ID: 6603904
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: G02B,G02F,H04J

Abstract:
An optical system for modulating, switching, multiplexing, and routing, comprising:(a) at least one input; (b) at least one interference device; (c) at least one radiation-splitting component; and (d) at least one selecting device including a differential receiving terminal and at least one output; (e) said one input being arranged to receive input radiation pulses and to emit said input radiation pulses; (f) said radiation-splitting component being arranged to receive said input radiation pulses emitted from said one input, to convert each of said input radiation pulses to multiple radiation pulses, and to cause said multiple radiation pulses to propagate along multiple radiation paths having predetermined optical lengths; (g) said one interference device being arranged to receive, from said multiple radiation paths, said multiple radiation pulses at respective arrival times corresponding to said optical lengths of said multiple radiation paths for producing and emitting an interference pattern according to said respective arrival times; (h) said selecting device being arranged to receive, at said differential receiving terminal, at least part of said interference pattern for selectively emitting output radiation pulses from said one output according to said respective arrival times.