N x M monolithic switch for an optical network and method of operation thereof

摘要

An N×M monolithic switch and a method of operating the switch. In one embodiment, the switch includes: (1) a monolithic refractive element, (2) N input/output ports coupled to the monolithic refractive element and configured to inject electromagnetic energy into a first set of planes in the monolithic refractive element at an angle that causes total internal reflection of the electromagnetic energy between first and second refractive surfaces of the monolithic refractive element, N being greater than one, (3) M input/output ports coupled to the monolithic refractive element and configured to extract electromagnetic energy travelling in a second set of planes in the monolithic refractive element, M being greater than one, the second set of planes being aparallel to the first set of planes and (4) a plurality of frustrating elements coupled to the monolithic refractive element and corresponding to the N input/output ports and the M input/output ports and configured to frustrate the total internal reflection selectively to cause the electromagnetic energy to travel from ones of the first set of planes to ones of the second set of planes.

主权项

1. An N×M monolithic switch, comprising:
a monolithic refractive element; N input/output ports coupled to said monolithic refractive element and configured to inject electromagnetic energy into a first set of planes in said monolithic refractive element at an angle that causes total internal reflection of said electromagnetic energy between first and second refractive surfaces of said monolithic refractive element, N being greater than one; M input/output ports coupled to said monolithic refractive element and configured to extract electromagnetic energy travelling in a second set of planes in said monolithic refractive element, M being greater than one, said second set of planes being aparallel to said first set of planes; and a plurality of plungers, each of said plurality of plungers including a plunger extension coupled to a frustrating element, each of said plurality plungers coupled to said monolithic refractive element and corresponding to said N input/output ports and said M input/output ports and configured to frustrate said total internal reflection selectively to cause said electromagnetic energy to travel from ones of said first set of planes to ones of said second set of planes, wherein said electromagnetic energy is extracted in said second set of planes from a surface of said monolithic refractive element that is not said first or second refractive surface.