Patent ID: 6134359
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical routing device comprising:a wavelength dispersive element for separating an input beam into sub-beams of light in accordance with their wavelength;a waveguide block having a first end and a second end and a plurality of waveguide means disposed therein between said first end and said second end for receiving at least some of said sub-beams;a focusing lens disposed between the wavelength dispersive element and the first end, for focusing said sub-beams at substantially a predetermined distance from the wavelength dispersive element; and,an actuator means associated with the waveguide block for controllably moving an end of the waveguide block such as to control the alignment of the sub-beams with the plurality of waveguides at the first end of the block, wherein said actuator means for controllably moving said block comprises a thermally expansive element and an associated heat source for controllably heating said element, and wherein said device is an optical multiplexor, and, or an optical demultiplexor.