Patent ID: 6724512
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: G02B,G02F

Abstract:
An optical buffer for storing an optical signal for a desired time, said optical buffer comprising two or more optical shutters positioned at one or more first distances and one or more first angles from each other, wherein said two or more optical shutters are imageable and have a first state of a low reflection at a wavelength and a second state of a high reflection at said wavelength, and wherein said two or more optical shutters are reversibly imageable between said first and second states;wherein at least two of said two or more optical shutters are interposed between an input optical path for said optical signal and an output optical path for said optical signal, and wherein a first imaging between said first and second states of at least one of said at least two of said two or more optical shutters directs said optical signal into storage in an optical buffer path between said input and output optical paths and wherein a subsequent imaging between said first and second states of at least one of said at least two of said two or more optical shutters directs said optical signal from said optical buffer path into said output optical path.