Patent ID: 6819815
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical switch comprising:an array of optical input channels each capable of carrying an associated input light beam; an array of output channels; a switching array for coupling selected input channels to selected output channels enabling the switching of each input light beam to one of a plurality of output channels; a first beam splitter optically interposed between the switching array and the array of output channels to split input light beams into a monitor beam and a working beam; and an array of beam monitoring elements wherein each beam monitoring element is arrange to receive a monitor beam and wherein each beam monitoring element comprises: a first detector element; a second detector element; and a second beam splitter arranged to receive the monitor beam and reflect a portion of the monitor beam into the second detector element while directing another portion of the monitor beam onto the first detector element; wherein the first and second detectors of each beam monitoring element measure optical power of the respective portions of a monitor beam such that both the angular misalignment and the positional misalignment of a working beam can be detected and adjusted such that the working beams enter the output channels having desired optical characteristics.