Patent ID: 6275625
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: G02B,G02F

Abstract:
An optical mirror switch for operating between a first, ""pass through"" state and a second, ""reflective"" state, said switching comprisinga pair of optical signal ports;a pair of reflective optical ports;an optical beam splitter disposed between said pair of signal ports and said pair of reflective ports; andan optical path length adjusting arrangement disposed in at least one optical signal path between said optical beam splitter and a reflective port of said pair of reflective optical signal ports to provide switching between equal optical path lengths for the first, ""pass through"" state of said switch and unequal optical path lengths for the second, ""reflective"" state of said switch, the unequal optical path lengths defined as an odd, half-wavelength amount n.lambda./2, where n=.+-.1, .+-.3, .+-.5, . . . and .lambda. is the optical signal wavelength.