Patent ID: 9158072
Filing Date: 2015-10-13
Classification: G02B,G02F

Abstract:
1. An optical switch configured to switch optical beams between one or more first ports and two or more second ports, said switch including: a wavelength independent beam splitter to simultaneously split said optical beams from each of said first ports into a plurality of separate sub beams; and a reflective wavelength independent switching unit to selectively reflectively direct each said sub beam along respective predetermined trajectories such that predetermined sub beams are coupled between said first and second ports, said switching unit including one independently switchable reflective element corresponding to each said second port, each said switchable reflective element being switchable between a plurality of preselected switching states, each said switching state defining a trajectory of each said sub beam; wherein said beam splitter and said switching unit are configured to direct said sub beams along substantially free space trajectories unconfined to waveguides.