Patent ID: 6659614
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A variable dispersion compensator, which applies a phase shift to an optical signal to compensate dispersion in the optical signal, comprising:optical splitting means, which inputs an optical signal that is to become the subject of dispersion compensation, and splits said optical signal for every frequency component within a predetermined frequency band; reflecting means, which reflects each of said respective frequency components that are split by said optical splitting means to apply a predetermined phase shift to each frequency component, and is configured with the reflection position for each of said respective frequency components being movable in the direction of optical signal propagation; and optical combining means, which combines said frequency components reflected by said reflecting means to give a dispersion compensated optical signal; wherein said reflective means is constituted by a single reflective mirror, said single reflective mirror is a movable mirror capable of moving each of its reflective surfaces corresponding to said frequency component in said optical signal propagation direction by deforming the entire reflective surface thereof; and wherein said movable mirror, which is said single reflective mirror, is designed such that the entire reflective surface thereof is deformed by applying a moment to application portions provided respectively to the vicinity of the end portion on both sides by means of a moment application means, while fixing a fixed portion provided to the vicinity of the center thereof.