Patent ID: 6049404
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: G02B,G02F,H04Q

Abstract:
An N.times.M optical routing switch directing an input beam at any of a plurality of input ports to any of a plurality of output ports determined by a specified control state, said switch comprising:a plurality of input ports receiving an input beam, each input port having:(a) an input polarization-dependent routing element separating said input beam into a pair of orthogonally-polarized beams; and(b) an input polarization rotator selectively rotating the polarization of at least one of said beam pair so that both beams have the same polarization determined by said control state; anda network of polarized beamsplitters receiving said beam pair exiting said input ports, said network of polarized beamsplitters having a polarization rotator between adjacent polarized beamsplitters selectively rotating the polarization of said beam pair to route said beam pair along any of a plurality of optical paths through said network of polarized beamsplitters determined by said control state; anda plurality of output ports selectively receiving said beam pair exiting said network of polarized beamsplitters, each output port having:(a) an output polarization rotator rotating the polarization of said beam pair exiting said network of polarized beamsplitters so that said beams are orthogonally polarized; and(b) an output polarization-dependent routing element combining said orthogonally-polarized beams at said output port.