OPTICAL CIRCUIT SWITCH WITH INTEGRAL CIRCULATORS

摘要

Optical circuit switches and switching methods are described. An optical circulator may form a first plurality of bidirectional optical beams from a first plurality of input optical beams and a corresponding first plurality of output optical beams. Each bidirectional optical beam may consist of the corresponding input optical beam and the corresponding output optical beam overlaid to follow, in opposing directions, a common optical path. A mirror array may be disposed to reflect the first plurality of bidirectional optical beams. A reflector may be disposed to intercept bidirectional optical beams reflected from the mirror array and to reflect at least some of the intercepted bidirectional optical beams back to the mirror array.

主权项

1. An optical circuit switch, comprising:
an optical circulator configured to form a plurality of bidirectional optical beams from a plurality of input optical beams and a corresponding plurality of output optical beams, each bidirectional optical beam consisting of the corresponding input optical beam and the corresponding output optical beam overlaid to follow, in opposing directions, a common optical path; a mirror array disposed to reflect the plurality of bidirectional optical beams; and a reflector disposed to intercept bidirectional optical beams reflected from the mirror array and to reflect at least some of the intercepted bidirectional optical beams back to the mirror array.