University of California

Glimmerglass Networks, Inc.

Eugene W Campbell

Bryan P Staker

Gary E Sommargren

Paul H Pax

An optical switch globally minimizes maximum tilt angles used to route optical signals from input to output by disposition of an input array of first tiltable micromirrors within a first boundary typically having top-bottom reflection symmetry and left-right reflection symmetry and by disposition of an output array of second tiltable micromirrors within a second boundary a symmetry which matches the symmetry for the input array, the output array and the input array being disposed opposing one another and normal to parallel central axes and further being offset from one another in the plane of the normals to the arrays, so that a collimated beamlet impinging on the center the input array and reflected off at an equivalent angle intersects the output array at an offset.

Three-dimensional optical switch with offset input-output ports

To measure a convex mirror, a reference beam and a measurement beam are both provided through a single optical fiber. A positive auxiliary lens is placed in the system to give a converging wavefront onto the convex mirror under test. A measurement is taken that includes the aberrations of the convex mirror as well as the errors due to two transmissions through the positive auxiliary lens. A second measurement provides the information to eliminate this error. A negative lens can also be measured in a similar way. Again, there are two measurement set-ups. A reference beam is provided from a first optical fiber and a measurement beam is provided from a second optical fiber. A positive auxiliary lens is placed in the system to provide a converging wavefront from the reference beam onto the negative lens under test. The measurement beam is combined with the reference wavefront and is analyzed by standard methods. This measurement includes the aberrations of the negative lens, as well as the errors due to a single transmission through the positive auxiliary lens. A second measurement provides the information to eliminate this error.

Application of the phase shifting diffraction interferometer for measuring convex mirrors and negative lenses

In a folded three-dimensional free-space optical switch including a set of fibers and an optical system for producing collimated beamlets aligned to intersect an array of dual axis micromirrors of coplanar input and output mirror elements, and a folding mirror, the input and output micromirrors are arranged in a pattern wherein either the input or output mirror set is disposed along an annulus and wherein the complementary output or input mirror set is disposed within the annulus in order to globally minimize maximum tilt angles for a two-dimensional locus of tilt angles of the micromirror set. The beamlets are routed from assigned input fibers to corresponding input moveable mirrors to assigned output fibers via the static folding mirror and corresponding output moveable mirrors.

Three-dimensional optical switch with annular input-output ports

To measure a convex mirror, a reference beam and a measurement beam are both provided through a single optical fiber. A positive auxiliary lens is placed in the system to give a converging wavefront onto the convex mirror under test. A measurement is taken that includes the aberrations of the convex mirror as well as the errors due to two transmissions through the positive auxiliary lens. A second, measurement provides the information to eliminate this error. A negative lens can also be measured in a similar way. Again, there are two measurement set-ups. A reference beam is provided from a first optical fiber and a measurement beam is provided from a second optical fiber. A positive auxiliary lens is placed in the system to provide a converging wavefront from the reference beam onto the negative lens under test. The measurement beam is combined with the reference wavefront and is analyzed by standard methods. This measurement includes the aberrations of the negative lens, as well as the errors due to a single transmission through the positive auxiliary lens. A second measurement provides the information to eliminate this error.

Growing community of inventors

Livermore, CA, United States of America

Eugene W Campbell