Abstract: An optical device and method providing multi-channel bulk optical power monitoring is disclosed. The device and method may include a scanning mirror, a plurality of input optical fibers, a plurality of output optical fibers, and at least one sample optical fiber optically connected to a photodetector. The device and method may further include a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface. The first reflective surface may reflect light from the input optical fibers to the second reflective surface. The second reflective surface may reflect a first portion of the light into the output optical fibers and pass a second portion of the light to the scanning mirror. The scanning mirror may reflect samples of the second portion of the light into the at least one sample optical fiber.

Abstract: MEMS and fabrication techniques for positioning the center of mass of released structures in MEMS are provided. In an embodiment, a minor substrate is affixed to a member partially released from a first substrate and a through hole formed in the second substrate is accessed to complete release of the member.

Abstract: MEMS and fabrication techniques for positioning the center of mass of released structures in MEMS are provided. A released structure may include a member with a recess formed into an end face of its free end. A released structure may include a plurality of members, with the longitudinal lengths of the members being of differing lengths. Mass of a member disposed below a plane of a flexure may be balanced by mass of a second substrate affixed to the member. In an embodiment, a mirror substrate is affixed to a member partially released from a first substrate and a through hole formed in the second substrate is accessed to complete release of the member.

Abstract: A micromechanical structure is described. A region of semiconductor material has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a lateral surface that surrounds the region of semiconductor material. Insulative material covers the first surface and the lateral surface of the region of semiconductor material to provide electrical isolation to the region of semiconductor material by forming a boundary. To form the micromechanical structure, a trench is etched in a semiconductor substrate to surround a region of the semiconductor substrate. A surface of the semiconductor substrate and the trench are oxidized to form a top oxide and a lateral oxide region. A backside of the semiconductor substrate is etched to expose a backside of the region of the semiconductor substrate and a portion of the lateral oxide.

Abstract: An apparatus is described to provide multi-channel bulk optical power detection. The apparatus has a plurality of optical splitters coupled to respective fiber-optic lines of a plurality of fiber-optic lines. An optimal time-division multiplexer has an input coupled to the plurality of optical splitters. A photodetector is coupled to an output of the optical time-division multiplexer to provide bulk optical power detection. The optical time-division multiplexer includes a scanning mirror.

Abstract: An optical switch for routing arbitrary wavelengths between optical fibers in optical networks. The optical switch may include a highly wavelength dispersive element together with a spatially dispersive element to separate the wavelengths. Broadband switch inputs and outputs may be provided for adding and dropping arbitrary wavelengths at each node of the network. Fiber demultiplexers and multiplexers may also be used to reduce the impact of mirror array yield on switch functionality.

Abstract: An optical switch fabric with an input stage, an output stage, and a center stage coupled in a cascaded manner. The center stage includes (1) a minimum number of center switches greater than one that cause the optical switch fabric to be strict-sense nonblocking and (2) at least one additional center switch to provide redundancy for the optical switch fabric. A module is described that includes optical input and output switches coupled to an optical center stage of an optical switch fabric. The module includes an interior cavity that contains free space beams from both the optical input switch and the optical output switch. A method is described for reconfiguring a redundant optical switch into a multilevel optical switch without interrupting operation of the signals carried by the optical switch by adding additional switch components and reconfiguring the fiber interconnection between switch elements.

Abstract: An improved photonic switch having optical amplification is described. Signals are amplified before they are switched, after they are switched, or both before and after they are switched. The optical amplification compensates for fixed losses within the switch and transmission system, or provides output power equalization. The photonic switching system includes a demultiplexer for dividing incoming light into different wavelengths or wavebands. The different signals are then supplied to optical amplifiers. The amplifiers amplify the optical signals before supplying them to the optical switch core. Once in the optical switch core, the signals are switched as desired to specified output nodes, then multiplexed back together to provide an output signal from the photonic switching system. In some systems amplification is further provided on the output side.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described that may be used to provide decoupled rotation of structures about different pivot points. The apparatus may include one or more fixed blades mounted to a frame or substrate, one or more movable blades mounted to each structure to be moved, and flexures on which the structures are suspended. Separate movable blades may be provided for each degree of freedom. When voltage is applied between the fixed and movable blades, the electrostatic attraction generates a force attracting movable blades toward blades that are fixed relative to the moveable blades, causing a structure to rotate about the flexures. The angle of rotation that results may be related to the size, number and spacing of the blades, the stiffness of the flexures and the magnitude of the voltage difference applied to the blades. The blades are fabricated using deep silicon etching.

Abstract: An optical switch for routing arbitrary wavelengths between optical fibers in optical networks. The optical switch may include a highly wavelength dispersive element together with a spatially dispersive element to separate the wavelengths. Broadband switch inputs and outputs may be provided for adding and dropping arbitrary wavelengths at each node of the network. Fiber demultiplexers and multiplexers may also be used to reduce the impact of mirror array yield on switch functionality.

Abstract: An optical switch fabric with an input stage, an output stage, and a center stage coupled in a cascaded manner. The center stage includes (1) a minimum number of center switches greater than one that cause the optical switch fabric to be strict-sense nonblocking and (2) at least one additional center switch to provide redundancy for the optical switch fabric. A module is described that includes optical input and output switches coupled to an optical center stage of an optical switch fabric. The module includes an interior cavity that contains free space beams from both the optical input switch and the optical output switch. A method is described for reconfiguring a redundant optical switch into a multilevel optical switch without interrupting operation of the signals carried by the optical switch by adding additional switch components and reconfiguring the fiber interconnection between switch elements.

Abstract: A system is described for providing selectable delay. A first converter converts a first electromagnetic signal into an optical signal. An optical switch is coupled to the first converter to provide selectable delay by selection of paths by a plurality of movable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirrors. The paths have respective measurable differences in delay for the optical signal. A second converter coupled to the optical switch converts the optical signal into a second electromagnetic signal. The differences in delay for the optical signal result in differences to delay for the second electromagnetic signal in comparison to the first electromagnetic signal. Relatively short delays are provided by the optical switch and relatively long delays are provided by a plurality of fiberoptic delay lines.

Abstract: A method for equalizing optical signal power in a group of optical signals transmitted through an optical switch in an optical transmission system. In one embodiment a group of optical signals is input into an optical switch having at least one movable mirror array with a plurality of reflectors formed thereon, the optical beam being directed onto a selected at least one reflector and wherein attenuating the optical beam is accomplished by controllably detuning at least one of the selected at least one reflector to attenuate the optical beam.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling optical loss in an optical switch to equalize optical power or loss in a group of optical signals in an optical transmission system relatively insensitive to mechanical vibration. In one embodiment a group of optical signals is input into an optical switch and selected optical signals are variably attenuated using synchronized control to two mirrors in order to provide more uniform power distribution among the group of optical signals without enhancing vibration sensitivity of the optical switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described to provide optical path protection for an optical switching system. An apparatus includes a first optical core switch, a second optical core switch, and an optical protection switch. The optical protection switch has at least two inputs and at least two outputs that allow the optical protection switch to direct input optical data traffic to one of the first optical core switch and the second optical core switch, and to direct a test signal to the other of the first optical core switch and the second optical core switch. For one embodiment, the optical protection switch is a 2×2 non-blocking optical switch having only two-path loss optimization. Alternatively, the optical protection switch may be a blocking 3×2 optical switch implemented to function as a 2×2 non-blocking optical switch. For one embodiment, the blocking 3×2 optical switch is a translational switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described that may be used to provide decoupled rotation of structures about different pivot points. The apparatus may include one or more fixed blades mounted to a frame or substrate, one or more movable blades mounted to each structure to be moved, and flexures on which the structures are suspended. Separate movable blades may be provided for each degree of freedom. When voltage is applied between the fixed and movable blades, the electrostatic attraction generates a force attracting movable blades toward blades that are fixed relative to the moveable blades, causing a structure to rotate about the flexures. The angle of rotation that results may be related to the size, number and spacing of the blades, the stiffness of the flexures and the magnitude of the voltage difference applied to the blades. The blades are fabricated using deep silicon etching.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling optical loss in an optical switch to equalize optical power or loss in a group of optical signals in an optical transmission system relatively insensitive to mechanical vibration. In one embodiment a group of optical signals is input into an optical switch and selected optical signals are variably attenuated using synchronized control to two mirrors in order to provide more uniform power distribution among the group of optical signals without enhancing vibration sensitivity of the optical switch.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for performing testing of an optical device under test (DUT). According to a specific embodiment, the DUT includes a plurality of DUT optical input ports and a plurality of DUT optical output ports. The testing may be performed by an optical switching testing system (OSTS) which includes a plurality of OSTS output ports optically connected to a plurality of DUT input ports, and a plurality of OSTS input ports optically connected to a plurality of DUT output ports. Components of the OSTS are configured in order to perform a specific test on the DUT. A first test scenario is configured at the DUT. At least one optical test signal is transmitted to at least one DUT input port. Test results may then be obtained by monitoring at least one DUT output port for the presence or absence of light. The test results are then analyzed for specific characteristics.

Abstract: An optical switching apparatus is provided. Generally, a plurality of optical input switches is provided. A plurality of optical output switches is provided. A plurality of central optical switches connected between the plurality of input switches and plurality of output switches is provided. A plurality of test light sources, where each test light source is connected to an optical input switch, is provided. A first plurality of optical detectors connected to the optical output switches is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling optical loss in an optical switch to equalize optical power or loss in a group of optical signals in an optical transmission system relatively insensitive to mechanical vibration. In one embodiment a group of optical signals is input into an optical switch and selected optical signals are variably attenuated using synchronized control to two mirrors in order to provide more uniform power distribution among the group of optical signals without enhancing vibration sensitivity of the optical switch.