RECONFIGURABLE DIFFRACTIVE OPTICAL SWITCH

摘要

Optical switch based on a micro-minor device such as a DMD configured to simultaneously switch light from N inputs to M outputs with switching times of about 10 microseconds, where N and M are generally greater than one. The minors of the device are oriented according to a pattern calculated based on a Fourier Transform of spatial distribution of M outputs such as to form, in diffraction of light incident on the device, and diffraction light pattern that in the output plane is substantially congruent with the spatial distribution of M outputs. The device can be configured as a modulator of amplitude and/or a modulator of phase of incident light wavefront.

主权项

1. A reconfigurable diffractive N×M optical switch system including
a first two-dimensional (2D) array of micro-reflector elements positioned, in optical communication with and between N spatially discrete light inputs and an output surface containing M spatially discrete light outputs, according to a first pattern that represent a Fourier transform of a second pattern formed by said M light outputs in the output surface, wherein said array includes multiple spatially separate from one another array areas each containing multiple micro-reflector elements, wherein each of N and M is greater than one, and wherein each of said N discrete light inputs is configured to illuminate only one array area from said multiple array areas.