Hybrid spatial and wavelength selector and optical switching matrix including it

摘要

A hybrid spatial and wavelength selector for optical switching matrices includes a guide system defining paths between input ports receiving light waves having diverse wavelengths and at least one output port. Gates on the paths are each opened or closed so that the light waves reaching the output port via the gates which are open are selected according to the input ports which received them and according to their wavelength. The guide system is situated only between the optical gates and the output port and includes a wavelength separation system assigning some of the paths to the light waves according to their wavelength. The selector has applications in fiber optic telecommunication networks.