OPTICAL CIRCUIT SWITCH WITH INTEGRAL CIRCULATORS

摘要

Optical circuit switches and switching methods are described. A first 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 first mirror array may be disposed to reflect the first plurality of bidirectional optical beams.

主权项

1. An optical circuit switch, comprising:
a first optical circulator configured to 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 consisting of the corresponding input optical beam and the corresponding output optical beam overlaid to follow, in opposing directions, a common optical path; and a first mirror array disposed to reflect the first plurality of bidirectional optical beams.