Patent ID: 6825981
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical signal processor comprising:optical input/output means including a plurality of input/output ports for inputting or outputting light; the plurality of input/output ports having respective light input/output directions, in parallel with each other, located on a first virtual plane; the optical input/output means inputting light into any of the plurality of input/output ports and outputting the light from any of the other input/output ports; a first optical system for collimating the light arriving from any of the plurality of input/output ports, and outputting thus collimated light; wavelength branching means for receiving the light collimated by the first optical system, spatially separating the light in terms of wavelength, and outputting thus obtained wavelength light components, thus outputted wavelength light components having respective optical axes located on a second virtual plane; a second optical system for receiving the wavelength light components outputted from the wavelength branching means after wavelength separation, and converging the wavelength light components; and reflecting means including a mirror with a reflecting surface positioned at a light-converging point of the wavelength light components converged by the second optical system; the reflecting means causing the light reflected by the mirror to be outputted from any of the plurality of input/output ports by way of the second optical system, wavelength branching means, and first optical system; wherein the first and second virtual planes are not parallel to each other; and wherein the light fed into the wavelength branching means after being collimated by the first optical system has a greater beam width in a direction parallel to the second virtual plane than in a direction perpendicular to the second virtual plane.