Patent ID: 6166838
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: G02B,H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
Apparatus for an optical add/drop switch comprising:a first input port which receives at least a first optical input;a second input port which receives an optical add signal;an optical filter which receives at least a portion of said first optical signal and provides a differentiated signal in which at least a first wavelength range has a polarization different from other wavelengths of said first optical signal;an displacement member which receives said differentiated signal and provides a member first output and a member second output said member first output including said first wavelength range, said member second output including said other wavelengths and wherein said member first and second outputs are spatially displaced with respect to one another;at least a first polarization rotator switchable between a first configuration and a second configuration wherein, In said first configuration, polarization of said member first and second outputs are either both rotated or both unrotated and, in said second configuration, the polarization of one of said member first and second outputs is rotated and polarization of the other of said first and second outputs is not rotated;a combining member which displaces said add signal into substantial alignment with said member second output when said first polarization rotator is In one of said first and second configurations and wherein said add signal is unaligned with said member second output when said first polarization rotator is not in said one of said first and second configurations.