Patent ID: 6411753
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An MÃ—N optical switch comprising:a first substantially linear array of collimating lenses defining input ports for transmitting light beams from input waveguides, each light beam having a waist along its length, at which the beam's diameter is at a minimum; a second substantially linear array of focusing lenses defining output ports for receiving the light beams from the first array of lenses and transmitting the light beams to output waveguides; and a two-dimensional array of MÃ—N controllable elements aligned between the two arrays of lenses at respective intersection points of the light beams, whereby in a first state a controllable element will redirect a light beam from an input port to an output port, and whereby in a second state the controllable element allows a light beam to pass unobstructed; wherein a plurality of the collimating lenses, which transmit light via a PÃ—P array of the controllable elements, are adapted to focus the waists of the light beams being transmitted thereby onto respective controllable elements, which are disposed on a diagonal line extending across the PÃ—P array of the controllable elements, in which P&lE;the lesser of M and N.