Patent ID: 6160929
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A 2.times.2 optical fiber switch comprising:first and second optical fiber assemblies with lenses disposed so that optical axes thereof are parallel to each other within the same reference plane;a third optical fiber assembly with a lens disposed oppositely to said first optical fiber assembly with the lens on the same optical axis, an interval being maintained therebetween;a fourth optical fiber assembly with a lens disposed oppositely to said second optical fiber assembly with the lens on the same optical axis, an interval being maintained therebetween;a lens holding member for supporting said first through fourth optical fiber assemblies with lenses while maintaining said positional relationship;a first rectangular prism in which an inclined surface thereof is disposed oppositely to said first optical fiber assembly with the lens and said second optical fiber assembly with the lens so as to optically couple said first optical fiber assembly with the lens to said second optical fiber assembly with the lens;a second rectangular prism in which an inclined surface thereof is disposed oppositely to said third optical fiber assembly with the lens and said fourth optical fiber assembly with the lens so as to optically couple said third optical fiber assembly with the lens to said fourth optical fiber assembly with the lens; anda prism holding member which supports said first and second rectangular prisms and which is supported by said lens holding member so that it may move between said coupling position and a retreated position in a direction perpendicular to said reference plane.