Abstract: Apparatus for diversely routing optical wavelengths across a point-to-point subnetwork. An optical network includes a first optical ring having at least first, second, and third nodes adjacently positioned; a second optical ring having at least fourth, fifth, and sixth nodes adjacently positioned, pairs of optical fibers link the adjacent nodes; a point-to-point subnetwork having at least first, second, third, and fourth optical fibers optically coupling the first and second optical rings. The first node is configured to route working bands across the first optical fiber to the fifth node and to route a copy of the working bands to the second node. The second node is configured to route either the copy of the working bands or a select subset of the copy of the working bands across the third optical fiber to the fourth node.

Abstract: A microstructure for steering light that mitigates stiction problems is provided. A first tiltable assembly that includes a reflective coating is connected with a substrate. A second tiltable assembly is also connected with the substrate. First hand second electrodes are connected with the substrate and are configured to tilt the two tiltable assemblies such that they are interdigitated. In various embodiments, the tiltable assemblies are configured as cantilever arrangements and/or torsion-beam arrangements.

Abstract: An optical wavelength cross connect is provided to receive multiple input optical signals that each have multiple spectral bands and to transmit multiple output optical signals that each have one or more of those spectral bands. The optical wavelength cross connect includes multiple wavelength routing elements, which are optical components that selectively route wavelength components between one optical signal and multiple optical signals in either direction according to a configurable state.

Abstract: A multi-city wavelength link architecture is used to distribute spectral bands received on input optical signals among output optical signals. Such an architecture may include an optical wavelength cross connect having multiple input ports, multiple output ports, and a wavelength routing element that selectively routes wavelength components between one optical signal and multiple optical signal. Such an optical wavelength cross connect will generally receive cross-connect-input optical signals at the input ports and transmit cross-connect-output optical signals from the output ports. Methods are used to increase the number of cities that may be accommodated by the architecture without disrupting through traffic between the existing cities.

Abstract: An optical cross connect architecture is provided in which the density of spectral bands on optical signals through the cross connect may vary. The general functionality of such variable-density optical cross connect is to receive input optical signals that each have multiple spectral bands and to transmit output optical signals each having one or more of the spectral bands. A concentrator redistributes the spectral bands from the input optical signals among a smaller number of first intermediate optical signals. A core cross connect redistributes the spectral bands on the first intermediate optical signals among second intermediate optical signals. An expander redistributes the spectral bands on the second intermediate optical signals among a greater number of output optical signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a conductor in an integrated circuit. A protective covering can be disposed over a conductor for a substantial length along the conductor while allowing a portion of the conductor to be exposed. The protective covering can be configured as a tunnel which runs for a substantial length along the conductor and can be operable to prevent the occurrence of electrical shorts during operation of the integrated circuit. According to one embodiment of the invention the integrated circuit can be configured as a micromachined device with active mechanical components exposed to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An optical routing mechanism is provided that may be used in a wavelength router configured to receive light having multiple spectral bands from an input fiber and to direct subsets of the spectral bands to respective output fibers. A free-space optical train provides optical paths for routing the spectral bands between the input fiber and the output fibers. The optical routing mechanism has multiple configurable routing elements to determine how each spectral band is directed. A common surface integrally mates the optical routing mechanism with end portions of the input and output fibers, permitting effective planarization of some optical elements.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical structure is formed by depositing sacrificial and structural material over a substrate to form a structural layer on a component electrically attached with the substrate. The galvanic potential of the structural layer is greater than the galvanic potential of the component. At least a portion of the structural material is covered with a protective material that has a galvanic potential less than or equal to the galvanic potential of the component. The sacrificial material is removed with a release solution. At least one of the protective material and release solution is surfactanated, the surfactant functionalizing a surface of the component.

Abstract: A microstructure is provided including a base layer underlying a first and second structural plates. Operation of the microstructure is capable of overcoming stiction. Methods of operation include providing an edge of the first structural plate in contact with a contact point. A second structural plate is deflected in a way that overcomes stiction between the first structural plate and the contact point. Such deflection can include providing a prying force to lift the first structural plate or a hammering force to disturb any stiction related forces at the contact point.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved MEMS devices and methods for use with fiber-optic communications systems. In one embodiment, an apparatus (100) for steering light has a base layer (110), a beam layer (114) and a folded flexure assembly (120) coupled therebetween. The folded flexure assembly complete underlies the beam layer, and facilitates rotation of the beam layer relative to the base layer. The flexure assemblies further provide a counter rotation force to help prevent the beam layer from sticking in an actuated position. In one aspect, the base layer includes raised portions (140, 142) which operate as mechanical stops for the beam layer. In this manner, the counter rotation force helps prevent the beam layer from sticking to the base layer or the raised portions.

Abstract: Bidirectional wavelength cross connects include a plurality of ports, each configured to receive an input optical signals, each input optical signal having a plurality of spectral bands. At least one of the plurality of ports is disposed to simultaneously transmit an output optical signal having at least one of the spectral bands. A plurality of wavelength routing elements are configured to selectively route input optical signal spectral bands to output optical signals.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for operating a transmission system having connected nodes. Channels are assigned for carrying traffic along the connections according to a multiple protection classes. Traffic may then be propagated over the connections in accordance with the assigned protection classes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for housing an optical element are provided. A ring is configured with a symmetry that corresponds to that of the optical element and for bonding with the optical element on an optical surface at a periphery of the optical element. An axial retaining spring may be provided for securing the optical element within an optical-system assembly. The axial retaining spring includes axial constraint fingers to engage a subsequent optical component and structures adapted to apply a point load at selected locations on the optical element.

Abstract: A microstructure is provided including a base layer underlying a first and second structural plates. Operation of the microstructure is capable of overcoming stiction. Methods of operation include providing an edge of the first structural plate in contact with a contact point. A second structural plate is deflected in a way that overcomes stiction between the first structural plate and the contact point. Such deflection can include providing a prying force to lift the first structural plate or a hammering force to disturb any stiction related forces at the contact point.

Abstract: Retroreflecting elements adapted for use in one-to-M wavelength routing elements are provided. Each retroreflecting element is configured to retroreflect an optical ray that is orthogonal to a reference plane. A first reflective surface, such as may be provided by a mirror, is inclined with respect to the reference plane and is disposed to encounter the optical ray. The first reflective surface is also configured for rotation about an axis to multiple positions. A second reflective surface, such as may also be provided by a mirror, is inclined with respect to the first reflective surface. In at least one of the positions, the optical ray also encounters the second reflective surface.

Abstract: Retroreflecting elements adapted for use in two-by-two optical routing elements. Each retroreflecting element is configured to selectively retroreflect two optical rays. A first reflective surface, such as may be provided by a mirror, is inclined with respect to a reference plane. A second reflective surface, such as may also be provided by a mirror, is opposed to and inclined with respect to the first reflective surface. The two surfaces are configured for rotation about an axis to multiple positions such that in a first position, a first ray is retroreflected along a first path and second ray is reflected along a second path, and in a second position, the first ray is reflected along the second path and the second ray is reflected along the first path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for spectral grooming of light having a multiple spectral bands. The light is received at an input port and encounters an optical train disposed between the input port and at least one output port. The optical train provides optical paths for routing the spectral bands and includes a dispersive element disposed to intercept light traveling from the input port. An attenuation mechanism is provided for independently attenuating the individual spectral bands. The attenuation mechanism has multiple configurable attenuation elements disposed so that each spectral band is attenuated in accordance with a state of one of the configurable attenuation elements.

Abstract: An optical wavelength cross connect is provided to receive multiple input optical signals that each have multiple spectral bands and to transmit multiple output optical signals that each have one or more of those spectral bands. The optical wavelength cross connect includes multiple wavelength routing elements, which are optical components that selectively route wavelength components between one optical signal and multiple optical signals in either direction according to a configurable state. As used within the optical wavelength cross connect, each of the wavelength routing elements receives at least one optical signal corresponding to one of the input optical signals. A mapping of the spectral bands to the output optical signals is determined by the states of the wavelength routing elements.

Abstract: Methods are provided for upgrading a Ki1×Kj1 optical wavelength cross connect to a Kl2×Kj2 optical wavelength cross connect without taking the cross connect out of service. Each Kl×Kj cross connects has a working fabric with multiple optical components and has a protection fabric. The working fabric receives optical traffic from Kl input optical signals and transmits Kj output optical signals. The protection fabric is configured to bypass at least one of the optical components in the event of a fault. The upgrade of the Kl1×Kj1 optical wavelength cross connect proceeds by upgrading the protection fabric to accommodate at least Ki2 input optical signals. Sequentially, each of the optical components included on the working fabric is upgraded. The optical traffic received by that optical component is bypassed to the protection fabric. Thereafter, that optical component is upgraded to accommodate at least Kl2 input optical signals.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing dopant leaching from a doped structural film during fabrication of a microelectromechanical system. A microstructure that includes the doped structural film, sacrificial material, and metallic material is produced with a combination of deposition, patterning, and etching techniques. The sacrificial material is dissolved with a release solution that has a substance destructive to the sacrificial material. This substance also acts as an electrolyte, forming a galvanic cell with the doped structural film and metallic material acting as electrodes. The effects of the galvanic cell are suppressed by including a nonionic detergent mixed in the release solution.