Nortel Networks Corporation

Gordon D Henshall

Stephen Rolt

Adrian Paul Sparks

Robert William Spagnoletti

Kevin J Cordina

Andrew L Reynolds

Tudur A Hughes

An optical add drop component uses wavelength-selective reflectors which are switchable between first and second positions. This enables an add or drop function to be selectively applied. When the add or drop function is not required, there is no signal attenuation or degradation of an input signal. When an add or drop function is required, selected frequencies are added or dropped and other signal frequencies can pass through the wavelength-selective reflector. No demultiplexing operation is required.

Optical switchable component

An optical component comprising a plurality of optical input ports and a plurality of optical output ports. A polymer amplifying medium is provided within the component which is pumped by a pump source for exciting the polymer amplifying medium. Signals passing through the optical component are routed through the polymer amplifying medium. This, provides amplification using a polymer amplifying medium which is integrated into the structure of the component. This amplification can then compensate for the loss resulting from the other functions of the component.

Optical component with signal amplification

An optical switch comprising switching means arranged to switch an optical signal by redirection of the optical beam path of said signal, wherein said optical switch is arranged to misalign the optical beam path so as to provide a predetermined optical output power. Thus a switch can be directly used to attenuate a signal, instead of utilising separate attenuators.

Optical switch attenuator

An optical switch has a plurality of input ports ( ) and a plurality of output ports ( ). Associated with each input port ( ) there is an input path IP followed by a free space beam exiting that input port ( ), and associated with each output port ( ) there is an output path OP followed by a free space beam entering that output port ( ). Located at each input path IP/output path OP intersection is mirror means If ( ) comprising a main mirror ( ) actuatable to divert a beam from a corresponding input path IP to a corresponding output path OP and at least one back-up mirror ( ) for performing the same function as the main mirror ( ).

Protecting optical switches

Distortion compensation of an optical micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device disposed on a substrate surface is effected by measuring degradation of an optical parameter of the device and applying a force to the substrate to reverse the degradation. The compensating force may be provided via a layer of piezo-electric material bonded to the opposite surface of the substrate and to which a control voltage is applied. The device distortion may arise from thermal mismatch effects in a package housing containing the device. Typically, the MEMS device comprises an optical crosspoint switch array.

Dimensionally stable device construction

The power handling capabilities and operational lifetime of a MEMS device, e.g., a MEMS mirror, operating in a high intensity optical beam environment are enhanced by packaging the device in an packaging atmosphere having a suitably high thermal conductivity, preferably exceeding that of air. The packaging atmosphere can be selected to provide a desired level of heat loss from the MEMS device.

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Harlow, United Kingdom

Gordon D Henshall