Abstract: An optical beam path directing system has a field-flattening optically transmissive wedge installed in spatially dispersed beam paths upstream of the planar surface of a micro electro-mechanical switch (MEMS) or liquid crystal array. The parameters of the field-flattening wedge and its location in the diffracted beam paths are defined such that the wedge effectively rotates a ‘best fit’ planar surface approximation of the curvilinear focal plane of a concave reflector into coplanar coincidence with the optical signal-receiving surface of the MEMS. As a result, loss variation is essentially flat and minimized across the optical signal transmission band.

Abstract: A fiber optic wavelength switch that includes a front-end unit having optical ports for receiving and transmitting optical signals; a wavelength dispersion element (e.g., diffraction grating, prism, etc.) for defining a dispersion plane; a light redirecting element (e.g., spherical reflector) associated with the wavelength dispersion element; and an actuation array (e.g., MEMS) operative with the light redirecting element for tilting an optical signal substantially perpendicular to the dispersion plane defined by the wavelength dispersion element. The wavelength switch can be implemented as a one input/output port and several add/drop ports type device, which can add/drop wavelengths from/to the in/out port. The front-end unit having a fiber array coupled to a micro-lens array with optical signals from the micro-lens being directed by a further lens.

Abstract: A fiber optic wavelength switch that includes a front-end unit having optical ports for receiving and transmitting optical signals; a wavelength dispersion element (e.g., diffraction grating, prism, etc.) for defining a dispersion plane; a light redirecting element (e.g., spherical reflector) associated with the wavelength dispersion element; and an actuation array (e.g., MEMS) operative with the light redirecting element for tilting an optical signal substantially perpendicular to the dispersion plane defined by the wavelength dispersion element. The wavelength switch can be implemented as a one input/output port and several add/drop ports type device, which can add/drop wavelengths from/to the in/out port. The front-end unit having a fiber array coupled to a micro-lens array with optical signals from the micro-lens being directed by a further lens.

Abstract: An optical device for rerouting and modifying an optical signal that is capable of operating as a dynamic gain equalizer (DGE) and/or a configurable optical add/drop multiplexer (COADM) is disclosed. The optical design includes a front-end unit for providing a collimated beam of light, an element having optical power for providing collimating/focusing effects, a diffraction element for providing spatial dispersion, and modifying means which in a preferred embodiment includes one of a MEMS array and a liquid crystal array for reflecting and modifying at least a portion of a beam of light. The modifying means functions as an attenuator when the optical device operates as a DGE and as a switching array when the optical device operates as a COADM.

Abstract: An optical beam path directing system has a field-flattening optically transmissive wedge installed in spatially dispersed beam paths upstream of the planar surface of a micro electro-mechanical switch (MEMS) or liquid crystal array. The parameters of the field-flattening wedge and its location in the diffracted beam paths are defined such that the wedge effectively rotates a ‘best fit’ planar surface approximation of the curvilinear focal plane of a concave reflector into coplanar coincidence with the optical signal-receiving surface of the MEMS. As a result, loss variation is essentially flat and minimized across the optical signal transmission band.

Abstract: An optical device for rerouting and modifying an optical signal that is capable of operating as a dynamic gain equalizer (DGE) and/or a configurable optical add/drop multiplexer (COADM) is disclosed. The optical design includes a front-end unit for providing a collimated beam of light, an element having optical power for providing collimating/focusing effects, a diffraction element for providing spatial dispersion, and modifying means which in a preferred embodiment includes one of a MEMS array and a liquid crystal array for reflecting and modifying at least a portion of a beam of light. The modifying means functions as an attenuator when the optical device operates as a DGE and as a switching array when the optical device operates as a COADM.

Abstract: Broad wavelength tuning range are achieved in an effectively reset-free, optical, automatic polarization controller by providing a device and method for varying the polarization of an input beam of light. A block of electro-optic material has two pairs of electrodes for applying a voltage across the block. Light is launched into an input end of the block for receiving the input beam of light. A controller controls a quadrature voltage applied to the first and a second pair of electrodes; the quadrature voltage has the form of a magnitude and an angle. The quadrature voltage can be varied in such a manner as to orient a given electric field within the electro-optic material through a plurality of angles, for example between 0 and 2&pgr; radians; the magnitude of the quadrature voltage can be set to create an arbitrary retardance from 0 to 2&pgr;. Any output polarization state can be realized by appropriately varying the magnitude and angle of the voltage applied to the Vx and Vy electrodes.