Patent ID: 6721473
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical switching element comprising:a variable blazed grating operable to receive and reflect one or more input signals while the grating remains in a first position and to receive and reflect one or more input signals while the grating remains in a second position, the variable blazed grating comprising: an inner conductive layer; and a plurality of approximately adjacent at least partially reflective mirror strips disposed outwardly from the inner conductive layer, each strip operable to receive a portion of an input optical signal, wherein each of the plurality of strips is operable to undergo a partial rotation resulting in a reflection of a majority of the input signal toward an output; and a first circulator operable to receive from the variable blazed grating a first output signal traveling approximately along the path of an input signal to the grating but in an approximately opposite direction to that input signal, the circulator further operable to redirect the first output signal from the path of the input signal.