Planar lightwave circuit based wavelength selective switch

Abstract

The present invention extends the concept of a standard array waveguide grating (AWG), which focuses each wavelength component launched via an input AWG to a Rowland circle inside a planar lightwave chip (PLC) where discrete waveguides are located, to one which focuses each wavelength component outside of the PLC chip along a straight line. An array of MEMS mirrors or other redirecting elements is positioned at the focus location for independently redirecting each of the wavelength channels back to any number of selected output AWGs formed on the same PLC chip as the input AWG.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] [1] This application claims priority to US Patent Application No. 60 / 821,346, filed August 3, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. technical field [0003] [2] The present invention relates to a wavelength selective switch (WSS), in particular, to a WSS based on planar lightwave loop (PLC) technology. Background technique [0004] [3] Conventional optical wavelength dispersion devices, such as 6,097,859 issued to Solgaard et al. on August 1, 2000, 6,498,872 issued to Bouevitch et al. on December 24, 2002, and Ducellier et al. issued on March 16, 2004 6,707,959 issued to Bouevitch on October 26, 2004, 6,922,239 issued to Solgaard et al., and 7,014,326 issued to Danagher et al. The beam of light is divided into constituent wavelengths and each wavelength or group of wavelengths (which may or may not have been modified) is directed through the device back to a desired output port. Typic...

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Problems solved by technology

Thus, not only does the external lens need to be extremely well calibrated (ie relatively expensive and extremely sensitive to misalignment), but also the majority of the optical path must be in air

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