Optical switching device with passive input and output stages and active amplifier in a matrix stage

摘要

PCT No. PCT/GB93/00923 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 12, 1994 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 12, 1994 PCT Filed May 5, 1993 PCT Pub. No. WO93/22708 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 11, 1993.A semiconductor optical switching device comprises a passive optical input stage, a matrix stage and a passive optical output stage. The matrix stage incorporates active amplifiers, the switch as a whole being therefore part passive and part active. Control over the switching configuration is provided by electrical inputs to the amplifiers. The matrix stage guides optical signals in a direction transverse to optical signals propagating in the input or output stages. With this configuration, fixed change in direction of the optical paths available to optical signals propagating through the device are provided by splitters, combiners and total internal reflection mirrors.