OPTICAL SWITCH AND TRANSMITTER AND RECEIVER FOR A MULTIPLEX TRANSMISSION SYSTEM INCLUDING SUCH A SWITCH

摘要

The invention relates to an optical switch (1) which is switchable by means of light. The switch (1) comprises an optical wave-guiding structure (3) having an entrance (5) to which a signal can be applied and an exit (7). The refractive index of the wave-guiding structure (30) is variable by means of light intensity. The switch (1) further comprises a radiation source unit (15) whose radiation can be injected into the wave-guiding structure (3). The radiation source unit (15) comprises a pulsed laser (17) having a repetition time T and a pulse duration p and a medium (19) for transporting the radiation supplied by the laser (17). The radiation source unit (15) is provided with setting means (21 ) for stabilizing the wavelength of the laser (17) at a number n of selected wavelength bands from a number N of possibly selectable wavelength bands within one and the same pulse supplied by the laser (17). Moreover, the medium (19) is dispersive at a wavelength-dependent travel time tD in which the wavelength bands upon transport are separable in time as a result of dispersion.