| 摘要 |
An optical crossbar switch having refractive or reflective components for equalizing beam spreading and diffraction in all the connections. The optical fibers or waveguides coupled to the switch are not staggered, but are parallel as in a conventional fiber array. The refractive component is disposed between the switch and the input optical fibers. Preferably, a similar refractive component is disposed between the output optical fibers and the switch. The refractive component can be a stairstep block made of glass, silicon or silica. Light from each input fiber travels through a well-defined thickness of the stairstep block. Since the block has a refractive index greater than the surrounding atmosphere, the wavelength is reduced within the block, and beam spreading and diffraction are reduced. For switch connections that have a long optical path, a long optical path through the block is required. The dimensions of the block must be designed according to the path length differences of the different switch connections. Optionally, a prism is used instead of the stairstep block. In this case, the optical fibers must be aligned at an angle to the switch. Furthermore, a series of small optical deflectors can be used instead of the stairstep structure.
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