Optical spatial switching arrangement.

摘要

1. A device for an optical spatial switching being accesses of a first group (GA) of N first distinct optical elements (fa) and a second group (GP) of P second distinct optical elements (fp), characterized in that it comprises : - an optical selection assembly (10) constituted by a stack of N rigid, flat optical plates (1) interposed and each maintained in a fixed position face to the access of one of the N first optical elements (fa) which are mounted according to the pitch of the optical plates (1) in their stack in a network which is transverse to these plates, each optical plate (1) in the assembly (10) comprising P distinct waveguides (g), first ends of which are coupled in common to the access of the first optical element which faces it and to which this optical plate is associated, second aligned ends of the P distinct waveguides (g) emerging on one of the edges, each optical plate being associated to an opaque tape (5, 7) presenting at least one perforation (I) and being movable in front of the second ends of the P waveguides of this optical plate, and all the optical plates (1) in this assembly having the second ends of their waveguides with their N tapes associated to the same side of the optical selection assembly (10), - an optical distribution assembly (20) constituted by a stack of P optical distribution plates (21) in which the plates (21) are mounted transversely to the optical plates (1) of the optical selection assembly (10) and at the same pitch as that between the second ends of the waveguides of each of the optical plates (1) of the optical selection assembly (10), and each one incorporating N individual waveguides (h) having their first ends coupled in common to the access of said second optical element (fp) to which the respective plate (21) is associated, whereas second aligned ends emerge on one of the edges of the plate, the first ends of the guides (h) of the different plates (21) being disposed at the same side of the stack and being coupled to the accesses of the second optical elements (fp), the second ends of the waveguides of the different plates (21) emerging at a common side of the stack and being arranged in N rows perpendicularly to the planes of the plates (21) of the distribution assembly, these second ends facing on each row second ends of the P waveguides respectively of one of said plates of the selection assembly (10) and being separated from said plate by the associated tape (5, 7).