Patent ID: 6473211
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: G02B,G02F,H04Q

Abstract:
An optical crossbar switching and/or routing system comprising:diffractive grating means for receiving and directing each of a plurality of input beams of electromagnetic radiation to travel in free space along a predetermined path of a plurality of separate paths to a predetermined output location of a plurality of output locations; said diffractive grating means comprising a plurality of substantially evenly spaced apart switchable diffractive gratings and each of said spaced apart switchable diffractive gratings having at least one separately switchable region; and said at least one said separately switchable region of said switchable diffractive gratings capable of being selectively activated or deactivated in order to independently control which said predetermined path of said plurality of separate paths at least one of said plurality of input beams of electromagnetic radiation travels in free space.