| 摘要 |
<p>An optical switch comprising a series of 2(n-1) macro-cells (7, 8), each having a variable polarisation rotating cell (7) with up to n individually addressable sub-cells (S) each located at one of n positions P1 to Pn and a birefringent cell; (n-1) birefringent cells (8) being orientated relative to light passing through so that light passing through a sub-cell (S) (at position Pi) is switchable to pass through positions Pi or Pi+1 of the variable polarisation rotating cell (7) of the next macro-cell in the series, and (n-1) birefringent cells (8) being orientated relative to light passing through so that light passing through a sub-cell (S) (at position Pi) is switchable to pass through position Pi or Pi-1 of the variable polarisation rotating cell (7) of the next macro-cell in the series, the sub-cells (S) being positioned to provide that light from any one of n inputs is switchable independently to any of n outputs, where n > 1.</p> |
