Optical-power coupling devices

摘要

A variety of optical-power coupling devices can be produced by associating an integrated optical circuit with a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) incorporating a rotatable mirror (5). The integrated optical circuit substrate (1) has input and output waveguides (WG) converging towards an edge (E) thereof and the mirror substrate (2) bearing the MEMS is arranged so that the axis of rotation (7) of the mirror portion (5) is substantially perpendicular to this edge (E). Rotation of the mirror portion (5) changes the amount of optical power coupled between the waveguides (WG). this arrangement can be used to implement optical devices including switches, attenuators, equalisers and limiters.