摘要 |
<p>A symmetric optical switch for selectively switching wavelength channels between four optical inputs. The symmetric optical switch includes two dispersive elements receiving optical inputs from respective optical fibers where the optical inputs are dispersed into a plurality of wavelength-separated input channels. The symmetric optical switch also includes a plurality of circulators disposed on each optical fiber and a switching array mechanism that receives the plurality of wavelength-separated input channels from each of the dispersive elements. The shutter array simultaneously switches one or more pairs of the wavelength-separated input channels between four optical inputs. Each circulator that is disposed on the associated optical fiber operates with the shutter array to form an eight port device so as to independently switch wavelength channels.</p> |