RECONFIGURABLE DIFFRACTIVE OPTICAL SWITCH

摘要

Optical switch based on a micro-mirror device such as a DMD for simultaneous switching light from N inputs to M outputs with switching times of about 10 microseconds, where N and M are generally greater than one. The mirrors 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, an 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 configured to simultaneously redirect light from N light inputs to M light outputs by forming a light diffraction pattern that is congruent, in a surface containing the M light outputs, with a spatial distribution of the M light outputs, the optical switch comprising:
a first two-dimensional (2D) array of micro-reflectors, an operation of each of which is defined by discrete spatial orientations of the micro-reflector, each of said discrete spatial orientations including at least two discrete spatial positions, said first 2D array of micro-reflectors having a clear aperture with N adjoining micro-reflector areas, each of which areas respectively corresponds to a light input, a micro-reflector area including a multiplicity of micro-reflectors illuminated, in operation, with light from a respectively corresponding light input, wherein the discrete spatial positions of micro-reflectors are defined to form, in diffraction of light incident from the N light inputs on the micro-reflectors, a diffraction pattern of light irradiance that is congruent with a spatial distribution of the M light outputs in the surface.