Patent ID: 7302134
Filing Date: 2007-11-27
Classification: G02B,H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A wavelength selective switch comprising: a two dimensional array of N×N optical ports including an input port for launching a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal with a plurality of wavelength channels; a first bulk optical element having optical power and having a first focal plane and a second focal plane; a second bulk optical element having optical power and having third focal plane and a fourth plane, the third focal plane being substantially coplanar with said second focal plane; a dispersive element substantially in the fourth focal plane for dispersing the WDM signal in a dispersion plane; and an array of switching elements substantially in the third focal plane, each switching element tiltable in both the dispersion plane and a plane perpendicular to the dispersion plane for selectively redirecting wavelength channels both in the dispersion plane and in planes perpendicular to the dispersion plane to alternate locations on the dispersive element; wherein each wavelength of the WDM signal entering at one of said array of optical ports is individually switchable to any of the optical ports through appropriate control of the array of switching elements via the dispersive element.