Patent ID: 6678436
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical switch, comprising:a array of optical fibers having a plurality of facets lying in a first plane; an array of lenses formed in a second plane spaced from, and generally parallel to, the first plane, there being one lens corresponding to each fiber for receiving and focusing light beams emanating from the array of optical fibers; a plurality of actuators that each independently translate linearly and orthogonally a corresponding lens a predetermined amount within the second plane along an X axis and a Y axis; a mirror spaced from, and generally parallel to, the second plane; and the lenses being configured and translatable linearly and orthogonally by their actuators such that a light beam emanating from the facet of a first selected optical fiber in the array of optical fibers can be deflected in a first predetermined manner by a first one of the lenses, reflected off of the mirror back to the array of lenses, and deflected in a second predetermined manner by a second one of the lenses and focused on the facet of a second selected optical fiber.