Abstract: An optical switch is provided for selectively coupling outputs of one or more fibers of a first array to one or more inputs of fibers of a second array. The first array includes a first groove disposed within a front face of the first array. The second array optionally includes a second groove disposed within a front face of the second array. The first and second fiber arrays are oriented so that their respective front faces are disposed in a facing relationship. A roller element is located within at least the first groove, permitting the first array to translate relative to the second array upon the roller element along the direction of the first groove. In addition, detents may be formed within the grooves of each array to create areas in which the roller element may at least temporarily seat. The location and number of detents are arranged to correspond to the location and number of rows of fibers in the respective arrays.

Abstract: Control signal systems for use in configuring an optical switch such that a communication signal transmittable from a first fiber end may be transmitted along a desired pathway between the first fiber end and a second fiber end are disclosed. The systems include transmitting a control signal, either on-path or, if the switch is mirror based, off-path with a communication signal pathway over which the communication signal is transmittable in the optical switch. The transmitted control signal is received by a control signal detector that is maintained in a known spatial relation relative to the desired pathway. A feedback signal relating to the spatial relationship between the communication signal pathway and the desired pathway is output by the detector. The feedback signal may be utilized in configuring the optical switch in order to make the communication signal pathway coincident with the desired pathway and thereby achieve transmission of the communication signal over the desired pathway.

Abstract: An optical switch includes an optical input terminal, a first deflector disposed to receive light from the optical input terminal, controlled to change its deflection angle, second deflectors arranged in a substrate, the first deflector transmits light from the optical input terminal to one of the second deflectors selectively, and optical output terminals disposed to receive light from the second deflectors, the second deflectors transmit light from the first deflector to the optical output terminals.

Abstract: An optical switch includes a first wavedguide holding member and a second waveguide holding member disposed on a substrate. The first waveguide holding member moves relative to the second waveguide holding member. A movement guiding member guides the motion of the first waveguide holding member and the substrate.

Abstract: An optical transmission device which reduces optical noise in an optical transmission system. The optical transmission device includes a core light amplifying unit, and a first buffer light amplifying unit for amplifying a first signal light from a first transmission path and an amplified second signal light from the core light amplifying unit. The first buffer light amplifying unit supplies the core light amplifying unit with the first signal light, and supplies the first transmission path with the amplified second signal light. Also provided is a second buffer light amplifying unit for amplifying a second signal light from a second transmission path and an amplified first signal light from the core light amplifying unit. The second buffer light amplifying unit supplies the core light amplifying unit with the second signal light, and supplies the second transmission path with the amplified first signal light.

Abstract: A switching arrangement for optical fibers is provided with a plurality of first optical fibers and a plurality of second optical fibers. A photoemitter element is arranged to communicate optically with a selectable one of the plurality of first optical fibers, and a photodetector element communicates optically with a selectable one of the plurality of second optical fibers. A communications arrangement enables optical communication between the photoemitter and photodetector elements, and respectively selected ones of the first and second optical fibers simultaneously. The communications arrangement has a displaceable portion and a stationary portion. A drive arrangement is coupled to the displaceable portion of the communications arrangement. A controller is coupled to the drive arrangement for controlling a displacement of the displaceable portion of the communications arrangement. Displacement is effected along a linear path, or in other embodiments, along a circular path.

Abstract: A coupling device has a first focusing element positioned on a first optical axis. The first focusing element is couplable to receive output light beams from a plurality of optical fibers, and has a first focusing power selected to direct the light beams to intersect the first optical axis at a first intersection position. A second focusing element is spaced apart from the first focusing element by a first separation distance along the first optical axis and is positioned to receive the light beams from the first focusing element. The second focusing element has a second focusing power and the first separation distance is selected to parallelize the light beams received from the first focusing element. A system for providing access to light beams propagating through a plurality of fibers uses two of the coupling devices.

Abstract: A one-by-N fiber optical switch is provided wherein an optical signal is transmitted between a common optical fiber and one of a plurality of optical fibers. The one-by-N fiber optical switch includes reflector assemblies that are respectively movable between a first position and a second position to route the optical signal between the common optical fiber and the selected optical fiber. The one-by-N optical switch further includes magnetic reflector assembly movers that create electrically induced magnetic forces to respectively move the reflector assemblies between their first positions and second positions. An N-by-N optical switch can be created by cross-connecting a number of input common optical one-by-N switches with an equal number of output common optical one-by-N switches.

Abstract: An optical fiber switch circuit combines optical fiber switches that are capable of switching the connection of many circuits at the same time by using fewer actuators. The optical fiber switch circuit combines at least one N x 2N, N being equal or greater than 1 optical fiber switch which employs optical fibers for switching the connection of an N number of movable optical fibers from one N number of fixed optical fibers of a 2N number of fixed optical fibers to the other N number of fixed optical fibers at the same time.

Abstract: An optical switch array in which at least three input waveguides are coupled to at least three output waveguides. Each of the output waveguides is coupled in the same order to each of the input waveguides by a switching element such as a 1×2 switch, via an intermediate waveguide and a combining mechanism that includes a coupling element such as a y-junction combiner. For compactness, the switching elements that couple to the same output waveguide are mutually displaced along the input waveguides. Optionally, each of the input waveguides is coupled to an auxiliary waveguide, which in turn is coupled to further output waveguides.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting an optical input to one or more selected optical outputs. The system includes at least one optical input port, and at least one optical receiver coupled to receive an optical signal via the optical input port. The optical receiver is configured to convert the optical signal into a corresponding electrical signal. The system also includes a plurality of optical output ports, and a plurality of optical transmitters. Each optical transmitter is coupled to a different one of the optical output ports, and is configured to selectively receive the corresponding electrical signal and convert it back to the optical signal for transmission through the optical output port. The system further includes electronic circuitry which is controllable to form an electrical path to convey the corresponding electrical signal from the optical receiver to the optical transmitter coupled to a selected optical output port.

Abstract: An optical switch array in which a plurality of input waveguides is coupled to a plurality of output waveguides. All but one of the output waveguides is coupled to each of the input waveguides by a switching element such as a 1×2 switch. A combining mechanism couples all the input waveguides to each of the output waveguides. In one preferred embodiment, one of the input waveguides continues directly into the output waveguide that is not coupled to input waveguides by switching elements, and each combining mechanism includes, for each of the other input waveguides, a coupling element such as a y-junction combiner. The switching elements are connected to the corresponding combining mechanisms by intermediate waveguides. Intermediate waveguides intersect input waveguides as required to allow the array to be fabricated as a planar integrated device.

Abstract: The invention provides a fiber-optic 2×2 switch using a dual-fiber 50:50 input coupler and a dual-fiber 50:50 output coupler. One fiber from each coupler makes contact to an inner transparent electrode on a planar layer of electro-optic material and the other fibers make contact to an outer transparent electrode on the layer. The electro-optic layer has its other side coated with a transparent electrode which is placed in optical contact with one end of a GRIN lens. The fibers are arranged so that the inner fibers are at conjugate points and the outer fibers also at conjugate points of the lens. The other end of the lens is coated with a mirror. Applying a voltage between either the inner or outer electrode changes the optical path length for the light from and to the fibers traveling through the material under the selected electrode causing the light from the two input fibers to be switched between the two output fibers. 2×N switches can be constructed by concatenating 2×2 switches.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed that includes a first Z×T optical switch having Z input ports and T output ports, where T is at least 2, optically coupled to an integrated optical generalized Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The result is an optical switch, which is operated using a smaller number of control elements and control levels than the generalized Mach-Zehnder interferometer alone.

Abstract: An optical switch device redirects a beam of light traveling along a first direction to a second direction and includes a base member, a reflective panel and an actuator. The reflective panel is pivotally connected to the base member and moves between a reflective state and a non-reflective state. In the reflective state, the reflective panel is disposed to redirect the beam of light from the first direction to the second direction. In the non-reflective state, the reflective panel is disposed to permit the light beam to travel along the first direction. The actuator is connected to the base member and the reflective panel and is operative to cause the reflective panel to move to and between the reflective state and the non-reflective state. An array of optical switch devices can be arranged to form a free-space optical matrix crossconnect apparatus.

Abstract: A photonic switching device has a first set of optical waveguides, a second set of optical waveguides, and an arrangement of controllable deformable micromirrors for selectively completing an optical path between any one of the first set of waveguides and any one of the second set of waveguides. Typically, the deformable mirrors are arranged in a pair of opposed grid arrays with the input and output waveguides extending along respective rows and columns in the manner of a crosspoint switch, but with the rows and columns intersecting at an oblique angle.

Abstract: A mechanical assembly for an optical switch comprises an actuator, an axle assembly, a lever pivotably connected to the axle assembly to transfer mechanical movements generated by the actuator, and an optical switching element, connected to the lever, capable of being switched between its on and off positions by mechanical movements of the actuator.

Abstract: Disclosed is an acousto-optic device having a number of acoustic attenuating structures and a method to limit the parasitic effects of a surface acoustic wave. The structures include any combination of the following: surrounding the acousto-optic conversion region with acoustic absorber, placing acoustic absorber near to the transducer(s), placing a strip of acoustic absorber between optical waveguides formed in the device, shaping one or more ends of acoustic waveguides formed in the device to absorb energy from the transducer(s), and/or extending the acoustic waveguides to further limit irradiation of unguided acoustic waves.

Abstract: An optical transmission device which reduces optical noise in an optical transmission system. The optical transmission device includes a core light amplifying unit, and a first buffer light amplifying unit for amplifying a first signal light from a first transmission path and an amplified second signal light from the core light amplifying unit. The first buffer light amplifying unit supplies the core light amplifying unit with the first signal light, and supplies the first transmission path with the amplified second signal light. Also provided is a second buffer light amplifying unit for amplifying a second signal light from a second transmission path and an amplified first signal light from the core light amplifying unit. The second buffer light amplifying unit supplies the core light amplifying unit with the second signal light, and supplies the second transmission path with the amplified first signal light.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength optical cross-connect switch architecture incorporates a plurality of wavelength-selective optical cross-connect (WSXC) switch fabrics that receive multi-wavelength input signals distributed by one or more optical slicers and generate multi-wavelength output signals that are combined by a plurality of optical combiners. The WSXC fabrics employ fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) as wavelength-selective elements. Using this architecture, the number of multi-wavelength channels carried by each WSXC is reduced from the number of channels present in each multi-wavelength input signal. In addition, the wavelength spacing between adjacent channels carried by each WSXC is increased over the spacing between adjacent channels in each multi-wavelength input signal.

Abstract: An optical switch comprised of an artificial muscle activation material that is adhered longitudinally around an optical channel, such as an optical fiber or group of fibers, to cause the channel to undulate in 2-½ dimensions when the material is activated by a voltage source via electrodes on the surface of the artificial muscle activation material. The material can be applied to the optical channel in a series of longitudinal strips or as a jacket surrounding the channel. When activated by a voltage source, be it a constant source or a variable source varying in amplitude, frequency or polarity, the artificial muscle material bends, causing the optical channel to also bend. The artificial muscle activation material can be formed into an optical channel itself when formed into a channel and cladded to have internal reflection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of optical switching wherein a plurality of activation strips (18) are adhered longitudinally around an optical channel, such as an optical fiber (14) to cause the fiber to undulate in 2½ dimensions when the activation strips are activated. The activation strips are activated with a voltage source. By varying the polarity of the activation strip itself or the source used to activate the activation strip, the optical fiber can be caused to undulate by contraction and expansion of respective activation strips.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micro-optic switch used for transmitting optical signals between optical fibers. More particularly, the invention pertains to a micro-optic switch using polymer structures to position a microactuator and optical fibers on a substrate so that the microactuator can move an optical fiber cantilever between two fixed fibers to transmit optical signals between either one of the fixed fibers and the cantilever fiber. Using polymers instead of micromachined structures to position components of the switch reduces cost and simplifies assembly. The invention further provides processes for producing a micro-optic switch and for switching the path of an optical signal.

Abstract: A non-blocking optical switch has a non-dilated architecture wherein dual mode input waveguides are connected to first and second inputs of mode selective couplers through mode conversion devices. Switching is effected by signals from a processing unit applied to a mode converter to convert the signal to be switched from a fundamental mode to a higher order mode. The mode selective coupler then couples the signal to one of the outputs thereof, whereas fundamental mode signals pass through to the other output thereof. An array of rows (layers) and columns of such elements make it possible to switch any incoming signal to be switched to any of a plurality of outputs after reconversion to the fundamental mode.

Abstract: An optical fiber switch for switching N.times.2N (N.gtoreq.1) circuits is capable of mechanically switching a plurality of pairs of optical fiber circuits at the same time. The optical fiber switch moves an N (N.gtoreq.1) number of movable optical fibers at the same time by a drive member which is guided by a slit of alignment members and reciprocated at right angles or in the X direction with respect to an optical axis. The optical axes of the movable optical fibers are accurately aligned with the optical axes of first or second fixed optical fibers by a mechanism which presses the N (N.gtoreq.1) number of the movable optical fibers against alignment V grooves at the same time by utilizing the flexure stress of an elastic pin provided on an actuator. Further, the elastic pin imparts a self-holding function to the actuator.

Abstract: A symmetrical optical matrix crossconnect apparatus includes a plurality of optical switch devices with each comprising a first pair of fiber optic ports, a second pair of fiber optic ports and a reflective element. The first pair of fiber optic ports are disposed apart from one another and aligned coextensively along a first optical path. One of the first pair of fiber optic ports emits a first light beam that travels along the first optical path in free space while the remaining one of the first pair of fiber optic ports receives the first light beam. The second pair of fiber optic ports are disposed apart from one another and aligned coextensively along a second optical path. A first one of the second pair of fiber optic ports emits a second light beam that travels along the second optical path in free space while a remaining one of the second pair of fiber optic ports receives the second light beam. The first optical path and the second optical path crisscross each other at an intersection.

Abstract: An optical switching system particularly useful in optical networks where waveguides are required from one node to several others, to provide multiple paths in the event of an outage on a particular waveguide is provided. The switching system is a one sided switch having p ports and allows any of the p ports to be connected with any other of the p-1 ports.

Abstract: Switch arrays are provided with controllable polarization modifiers and polarization-dependent diverters, such as one or more polarization beam splitters, for configuring switch arrays which can reduce or eliminate the need for optical fibers in the switch arrays. In one embodiment, input positions configured in a first preferably planar (e.g., horizontal) configuration are routed to one or more of a corresponding plurality of output positions which are configured in a different arrangement such as in an orthogonal (e.g., vertical) planar arrangement. Preferably some or all of the polarization-related optical components, including components such as birefringent devices, liquid crystal polarization rotator arrays and/or polarization beam splitters are integrated so that one such device can be used in connection with a plurality of input and/or output beams.

Abstract: A dense wavelength division multiplexer for separating an optical signal into optical channels is provided. The dense wavelength division multiplexer of the present invention includes a manner for inputting an optical signal where the optical signal comprises a plurality of optical channels; a manner for separating one or more of the plurality of optical channels by introducing a phase difference between at least two of the plurality of optical channels, where the manner of separation includes a polarization beam splitter; and a manner for outputting the separated plurality of optical channels along a plurality of optical paths. The dense wavelength division multiplexer of the present invention provides an ease in alignment and a higher tolerance to drifts due to the increase in the width of the pass band. Its separators may also be placed in a multi-stage parallel cascade configuration to provide for a lower insertion loss.

Abstract: A waveguide switch matrix is disclosed. The switch matrix includes a number of input waveguides that may be selectably connected to a number of output waveguides. A switch apparatus is provided at the intersection of each input waveguide and each output waveguide. The switch apparatus includes probes inserted into both the input waveguide and the output waveguide. The probes are connected through a switch arrangement. When a particular input waveguide is to be coupled to a particular output waveguide, the switch arrangement between the probes of the waveguides is closed to provide a signal path for the electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A small-size large-capacity optical switch in which the switch switching control structure is simple and the switch switching efficiency is excellent. A plurality of fiber accommodating grooves (4) are formed on a grooved board (1) and stationary side optical fibers (5) are held and aligned in the fiber accommodating grooves (4) to form a fiber array unit (8). The fiber array units (8) are laminated with a space therebetween. A master fiber (10) is arranged so as to correspond to the fiber array unit (8) of each stage and the master fiber (10) of each stage is supported and secured by a common master fiber supporter (12). Movement of the master fiber supporter (12) is controlled by fiber movement control means (13) only in a direction in which the fiber accommodating grooves (4) are aligned.

Abstract: One-by-three and two-by-two optical switches comprising optical waveguides or fibers with tapered ends that utilize electrostatically-driven actuators are disclosed. Tapering of the fiber ends allow the ends to be positioned in close proximity to one another to yield an optical switch with low insertion loss.

Abstract: A fiber optical control system for use in an optical switch generally includes, in one embodiment, a fiber assembly (86), a signal separator (88), a sensor unit (90), a lens assembly (92), stationary mirror (94), targeting RED (96), moveable mirror assembly (98) with mounted alignment REDs (100), window (102) and a processor (104). The separator (88) separates the control signals from the communication signals so that the control signals are received by the sensor unit (90) and the communication signals are received by fiber (106). The control signals received by the sensor unit (90) provide target identification and alignment information for connecting target fibers. The moveable mirror assembly (98) includes moveable mirror surfaces (132) with related control elements and REDs (100) mounted on a housing (134). The assembly (98) is used to actuate both targeting and alignment adjustments.

Abstract: An M.times.N optical switching system has a plurality of M optical input ports, each of which is directs a respectively associated optical input beam along one of M spaced apart coplanar parallel input optical paths intersecting an optical coupling path. N optical output ports are installed of the input ports at spaced apart locations of the optical coupling path. Each optical output ports receives a respective optical signal along one of N spaced apart coplanar output optical paths that intersect the optical coupling path apart. M+N mirrors are alignable with a normal bisecting a common angle at a respective intersection of the M input optical paths and the N output optical paths with the optical coupling path. A plurality of actuators controllably move selected mirrors into and out of the optical coupling path, so as to cause an optical signal incident at a selected one of the M optical input ports to be coupled to a selected one of the N optical output ports.

Abstract: A control arrangement for minimizing optical leakage in a time-division, multi-stage electro-optical switch by the periodic adjustment of switching voltage levels. An optical detector connected to an idle port of the switch transmits a leakage signal which represents optical leakage in the switch in various configurations of the switch. The leakage signal is filtered by a low pass filter and sampled at a low rate. A processor stores the sampled data and periodically analyzes the data to determine the appropriate changes in the switching voltage levels for each of the stages of the switch to minimize optical leakage. An output circuit connected to the processor and the switch modifies a previously determined base voltage signals for each of the stages to incorporate the voltage level changes and applies the modified signals to the switch in the appropriate time slots.

Abstract: An optical interconnection apparatus including waveguide arrays, such as grating routers and star couplers, has reduced coupling loss by reducing the width of the waveguides in the array, where they connect to the free-space region, so that they are smaller than the gaps between adjacent waveguides. The free-space region is formed by a slab whose thickness is tapered in a transition region, where it connects to the waveguide arrays, so as to essentially eliminate any mismatch loss that would otherwise be caused in an abrupt junction of the waveguide arrays with the free-space region.

Abstract: An adapter which actively connects a 2-lead oximeter probe or monitor to a 3-lead monitor or probe. This is done actively, with the alternating drive signals from the oximeter monitor providing a control signal for switching the adapter connections. The adapter connections are preferably made with diodes, transistors, or other active devices.

Abstract: An end station of a both-way optical link comprises: a receiver (RX) preceded by a receive optical amplifier (RA); a transmitter (TX) followed by a transmit optical amplifier (TA); a pump laser diode (PX) for delivering the pumping waves required by said amplifiers; and a coupler (B) of the passive type having two groups of two branches. The two branches of one group (BL and BP) are connected respectively to a line fiber (L) for both-way light guidance and to the pump (PX), the two branches of the other group (BR and BT) being connected respectively to the receive optical amplifier (RA) and to the transmit optical amplifier (TA). An in-line optical amplifier apparatus can be constituted in similar manner. The invention is applicable to telecommunications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wavelength selective switch. Said switch comprises at least one MMI waveguide, at least one Mach Zehnder waveguide, at least one phase control element and at least one Bragg grating, where said Mach Zehnder waveguide comprises said phase control element and said Bragg grating and is arranged in connection to at least one MMI waveguide. The invention further comprises a method for switching wavelength channels by using the above mentioned wavelength selective switch.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for switching an optical signal from one or more input ports to one of a plurality of output ports. A beam is launched into the input port. By controllably switching a switching element, such a liquid/air switch selection can be made selecting a plurality of deflections along a first plane to direct a beam along the first plane to one of a plurality of output locations; the beam is received from one of the plurality of locations and is directed along a second plane intersecting the first plane, to direct the beam to one of the output ports. In a preferred embodiment, the switch includes two prisms each having switching elements at end faces of the prisms.

Abstract: A scalable, non-blocking fiber optic matrix switch has two arrays of light beam collimators arranged to face one another in free space, and a number of optical fibers coupled to each of the arrays. Each collimator has a tubular body with a fiber receiving part at one end, and a lens mounting part at an opposite end of the body. A lens fixed in the mounting part produces a collimated light beam from light emitted from an end of an optical fiber inserted in the fiber receiving part. First and second motor assemblies with corresponding positioning elements displace the collimator body so that its light beam is steered to a desired position along "X" and "Y" axes in response to operation of the motor assemblies. A signal carried on a fiber entering a first collimator in one array can be switched into a fiber of a second collimator in the opposite array, by displacing the collimators so as to direct the beam of the first collimator to align with a lens axis of the second. For an N.times.

Abstract: A data communication system comprising a plurality of fiber optic cables and a fiber optic switching system, comprising: a support structure for securing light emitting/light receiving ends of the plurality of fiber optic cables in predetermined positions; and, means for re-directing light emitted from the light emitting/light receiving end of one of the fiber optic cables to the light emitting/light receiving ends of one, or more than one, of a plurality of the plurality of fiber optic cables. The re-directing means includes means for collimating and directing the light emitted from the end of one of the cables as a beam propagating along a predetermined direction and for re-directing the beam towards the end of another one of the cables selectively in accordance with an electrical signal. More particularly, the re-directing means includes electro-optical phase shifting medium, preferably liquid crystal molecules.

Abstract: To know an optical path switching error, a stepping motor is rotated at a predetermined angular step so as to couple an optical fiber collimator attached to its rotating shaft to an optical fiber collimator of optical fiber collimators that is designated by a designation signal. The direction of the optical axis of the optical fiber collimator is detected by a slit disk attached to the rotating shaft, and sensors for detecting slit arrays formed in the slit disk. Detection signals from the sensors are determined to correspond to the designation signal.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a switchable optical filter comprises an optical splitter coupled to an input waveguide, one or more output waveguides and a plurality of interferometer waveguides. A multiwavelength signal from the input waveguide is split into plural identical multiwavelength split signals which are directed into the interferometer waveguides. In the interferometer waveguides, a sequence of controllable phase shifters and reflective filters reflects specific wavelength signals from a respective interferometer waveguide into the splitter and then to a respective output waveguide. In a preferred embodiment, the splitting device comprises a directional coupler, and the filter comprises a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a mid section including an alternating sequence of a phase shifter on at least one arm and reflective filters on each arm. The filter is particularly useful as a gain equalization filter, an ADM filter and in an optical cross connect.

Abstract: A fiber optic device for use in fiber optic transmission systems and components thereof includes a pass-through fiber and one or more lengths of circulating fiber connected to the pass-through fiber by respective optical switches for selectively routing an optical signal through the circulating fiber lengths as it propagates along the pass-through fiber. The circulating fiber lengths are either dispersion compensating fibers or fibers doped with a substance that will amplify or absorb the optical signal in the respective presence or absence of a pump signal. The invention thus allows various amounts of dispersion or gain (absorption) to be selectively switched into or out of use depending upon requirements at the time. For example, an amplifying component could serve as a pre- or power- or in-line amplifier device depending on the lesser or greater amount of gain fiber elected by switching.

Abstract: Optical coupling systems that include optical N.times.N wavelength cross-connectors, where N is the number of inputs and outputs. The wavelength cross-connectors are used to connect together different nodes in the coupling system and are comprised of two different passive components: optical circulators and fiber gratings. A 2.times.2 wavelength cross-connector is formed by two circulators that are connected together through the medium of a fiber grating connected to the intermediate ports of the circulators. To construct a 4.times.4 wavelength cross-connector, two 2.times.2 wavelength cross-connectors are used, wherein the outputs of the 2.times.2 wavelength cross-connectors are connected together in pairs by means of circulator-pairs and a fiber grating. The fiber gratings reflect certain of the wavelength channels in the input signals delivered to the inputs and transmit remaining wavelength channels, thereby enabling each node to communicate with each other node.

Abstract: A variety of optical components or nodes are provided which components are formed utilizing holographically polymerized polymer/liquid crystal composites, and which components include free space/unguided wave switches, guided wave switches, out/in couplers, reflection nodes/reflection filters and guided wave interconnect nodes. Selected ones of these nodes may be designed to operate either in a single wavelength mode or in a multiwavelength WDM mode. All of the components are switchable so as to able to modify the component output to which an optical signal received on a component input is applied as a function of an electric field applied across the component, and to vary the channel outputted on a given output for WDM operation.

Abstract: An optical switch of the present invention comprises an optical fiber arranging member in which tip ends of a plurality of first optical fibers are juxtaposed, a movable arm facing the optical fiber arranging member and fixing a tip end of a second optical fiber, and a drive mechanism For driving at least one of the optical fiber arranging member and the movable arm, for switching of optical connection, in an arrangement direction of the first optical fibers and in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the first optical fibers to optically couple the second optical fiber with the first optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber arranging member and the movable arm are encased in a sealing case and wherein an antireflection agent is filled in the sealing case.

Abstract: Optical switches utilizing electrostatically-driven actuators formed from micro machined plates are disclosed. Under an applied voltage, a movable plate moves toward a fixed plate or a conductive region of an underlying support. The switches further include a mechanical linkage from the actuator to an optical device. The displacement of the movable plate generated at the actuator is transferred, via the mechanical linkage, to the optical device. The optical device, which is positioned in close proximity to optically-aligned spaced optical fibers, is movable into and out of an optical path defined by the optical cores of the optical fibers by the action of the actuator. An "in-plane" optical switch includes an actuator having two vertically-oriented electrodes, which generates a substantially horizontally-directed displacement of the movable plate and the linked optical device.

Abstract: The optical beam emitted from the transmitter array is input into the polarization beam splitter, and then turned by a right angle to input the opening portion of the neighboring board. Then, polarization of the optical beam is controlled by the polarization control array device provided on the opening portion to thereby rotate a plane of polarization by 90.degree., then the optical beam is turned by the polarization beam splitter by a right angle to input into the first light deflection control array device which then controls the propagation direction of the optical beam to input into the desired photodetector. On the other hand, the optical beam whose plane of polarization is not rotated by the polarization control array device by 90.degree. passes through the polarization beam splitter along the propagation direction to input into the opening portion of the neighboring board, and is then controlled similarly.