Patent ID: 6438284
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical deflection switch comprising:a) a switching block of light-transmissive material having a reflective surface and a transmissive face, the reflective surface for providing reflection of a beam of light passing through the transmissive face into the switching block to produce a first reflected beam; b) a second block of light-transmissive material having a first and a second face, the first face including an input port thereon for launching the beam of light into the optical deflection switch and the second face for providing total internal reflection of the beam of light in a first switching state to produce a second reflected beam and for providing input and output locations for optical communication with the transmissive face of the switching block when the total internal reflection is frustrated in a second switching state, and wherein the switching block is a tapered block having an angle and a thickness such that the first and the second reflected beam intersect each other and such that the first reflected beam is directed to a first output port at substantially normal incidence and the second reflected beam is directed to a second output port at substantially normal incidence, said first and second output port being in optical communication with the second block; and c) a switch for selectively switching the device from the first switching state to the second switching state.