Patent ID: 7519247
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A wavelength selective optical switch optically coupled to a plurality of ports, the optical switch comprising: non-rotationally symmetric optics positioned to substantially collimate an optical signal provided by a corresponding optical port to form a collimated optical signal; a first polarization beam splitter for separating a first s-polarized state of light and a first p-polarized state of light from the collimated optical signal; a first wave plate positioned to rotate the first p-polarized state of light from the collimated optical signal to produce a second s-polarized state of light; first and second wavelength separating portions positioned to diffract the second and first s-polarized states of light to produce first and second diffracted s-polarized states of light; a second wave plate positioned to rotate s-polarized light to produce p-polarized light; a second polarization beam splitter for combining s-polarized light and p-polarized light, said second wave plate and said second polarization beam splitter positioned to combine said first and second s-polarized states of light of the collimated optical signal; and a plurality of beam directors in a beam director array, at least one beam director in the beam director array positionable to direct at least some of the light on an optical path back through the second polarization beam splitter.