Abstract: A method of stimulating a MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) structure (e.g. a cantilever), and an optical sensor for use in such a method, using optical radiation pressure instead of electrostatic pressure, or the like. An optical pulse creates optical radiation pressure which stimulates movement of the MEMS structure and then movement of the MEMS structure may be measures. An interrogating light may be input after the optical pulse to measure movement of the MEMS structure. Advantageously, the same light source can be utilized to stimulate movement of the MEMS structure and to measure movement of the MEMS structure.

Abstract: A method of stimulating a MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) structure (e.g. a cantilever), and an optical sensor for use in such a method, using optical radiation pressure instead of electrostatic pressure, or the like. An optical pulse creates optical radiation pressure which stimulates movement of the MEMS structure and then movement of the MEMS structure may be measures. An interrogating light may be input after the optical pulse to measure movement of the MEMS structure. Advantageously, the same light source can be utilised to stimulate movement of the MEMS structure and to measure movement of the MEMS structure.

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: Optical switch packaging techniques and optical switch components are described. In one aspect, an optical switch component that includes a die mounted on an interposer is described. The die has an exposed array of mirrors that can be used as part of an optical switch. Typically, the interposer will also have a fiber array mount arranged to receive a fiber bundle and to position the fiber bundle appropriately over the array of mirrors. In some embodiments, an optical switch can be formed by putting together two mirror image interposer based optical switch components. When placing two interposer based optical switch components together, an alignment frame may be positioned between the interposers to help maintain a desired spacing between the respective arrays of mirrors. In some such embodiments, an inner housing is provided that encloses the dice, the fiber array mounts the alignment frame and portions of the interposers, but leaves connectors mounted on the interposers exposed.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical switch comprising a housing, an input optical fiber, a mirror substrate, an input pivoting mirror, an output optical fiber, a first optical splitter, and a first optical detector. The input optical fiber propagates a light beam and is secured to the housing. The mirror substrate is secured to the housing. The input pivoting mirror is located in a path of the light beam after leaving the input optical fiber. The input pivoting mirror is pivotally secured to the mirror substrate. Pivoting of the mirror relative to the mirror substrate alters an angle with which the light beam is reflected therefrom. The output optical fiber is secured to the housing and has an end through which the light beam enters after being reflected by the input pivoting mirror. The first optical splitter is located in a path of the light beam after leaving the input optical fiber. The first optical splitter splits the light beam into a first propagated portion and a first monitoring portion.

Abstract: A method of moving reflectors in an optical cross-connect switch. In one embodiment, the optical cross-connect switch identifies a reflector path avoiding possible interference with other reflectors, predicts the reflector path from pre-computed tables, and moves the reflector in a straight line in target reflector plane coordinates from initial position to target position.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an optical fiber array, a spacer to receive a light beam from the optical fiber array, and a lens array having an input to receive the light beam from the spacer and an output to output the light beam is disclosed. The spacer has a first refraction index and the lens has a second refraction index.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical switch comprising a housing, an input optical fiber, a mirror substrate, an input pivoting mirror, an output optical fiber, a first optical splitter, and a first optical detector. The input optical fiber propagates a light beam and is secured to the housing. The mirror substrate is secured to the housing. The input pivoting mirror is located in a path of the light beam after leaving the input optical fiber. The input pivoting mirror is pivotally secured to the mirror substrate. Pivoting of the mirror relative to the mirror substrate alters an angle with which the light beam is reflected therefrom. The output optical fiber is secured to the housing and has an end through which the light beam enters after being reflected by the input pivoting mirror. The first optical splitter is located in a path of the light beam after leaving the input optical fiber. The first optical splitter splits the light beam into a first propagated portion and a first monitoring portion.