Capella Photonics, Inc.

Seagate Technology Incorporated

Other

Read Rite Corporation

Joseph Eugene Davis

Jeffrey P Wilde

Jerry E Hurst, Jr

John F Heanue

Kurt Edward Petersen

Mark H Garrett

Terry Wayne McDaniel

Jeff Drazan

Brian Tremaine

Joseph D Drake

Tai Seng Chen

John H Jerman

Karl Arnold Belser

Pavel G Polynkin

Masud Mansuripur

Long Yang

Massimo Martinelli

Michael J Darling

Jimmy J Shen

Robert Ostrom

Bert P Van Drieenhuizen

Marcus H Barnes

Jeffery P Wilde

Michael Darling

This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are then focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the present invention may be further equipped with servo-control and spectral power-management capabilities, thereby maintaining the coupling efficiencies of the spectral channels into the output ports at desired values. The WSR apparatus of the present invention can be used to construct a novel class of dynamically reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (OADMs) for WDM optical networking applications.

Reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers with servo control and dynamic spectral power management capabilities

This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral characters, which are then focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the present invention may be further equipped with servo-control and spectral power-management capabilities, thereby maintaining the coupling efficiencies of the spectral channels into the output ports at desired values. The WSR apparatus of the present invention can be used to construct a novel class of dynamically reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (OADMs) for WDM optical networking applications.

An apparatus is provided that includes an enclosure with an aperture which is adapted for being placed in communication with an anus for the purpose of directing fecal matter into the enclosure. In one embodiment, the enclosure may include a polyethylene material with a thickness of less than 50 microns. In another embodiment, the enclosure may include an air hole formed therein for remaining open to allow air to escape therefrom upon the receipt of the fecal matter into the enclosure. In still yet another embodiment, the aperture may be circular and the enclosure may include a flexibility sufficient to allow the enclosure to be placed on an intended wearer in any orientation about an axis defined by the aperture.

Diaper rash prevention apparatus

This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the invention may further employ a polarization diversity scheme, whereby polarization-sensitive effects become inconsequential and insertion loss is minimized. The WSR apparatus of the invention may additionally be equipped with servo-control and channel equalization capabilities. The WSR apparatus of the invention can be used to construct a novel class of dynamically reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (OADMs) for WDM optical networking applications.

Reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers employing polarization diversity

Switching optical signals containing a plurality of spectral channels characterized by a predetermined channel spacing is described. A selected beam deflector array may be selected from among a plurality of available beam deflector arrays configured to accommodate spectral channels of different channel spacings. The selected beam deflector array is configured to accommodate spectral channels of the predetermined channel spacing. The spectral channels are selectively optically coupled to the selected beam deflector array, which selectively optically couples the spectral channels between one or more input ports and one or more output ports.

Flex spectrum WSS

A micromirror for use in an optical apparatus may comprise a reflective portion, configured to be rotatable about a switching axis and an attenuation axis that is different from the switching axis. The reflective portion may include an edge that is substantially parallel to the attenuation axis. The edge may include one or more edge features that protrude above a plane of the micromirror surface and/or are submerged below the plane of the micromirror surface, and/or have an edge shape that deviates from a straight line. Alternatively, an array of micromirrors may have mirrors characterized by sawtooth features disposed along edges that are substantially parallel to the attenuation axis.

Optical apparatus with reduced effect of mirror edge diffraction

Effects of diffraction of a spectral beam from an edge of the micromirrors are reduced in order to optimize the passband in a wavelength selective switch. The effects of diffraction on the pass band may be reduced by using rotation of the micromirror about both the attenuation axis and the switching axis to achieve the desired level of attenuation. Peak coupling can be attained by dithering the micromirror about a dither axis that is tangent to a contour of constant attenuation using simultaneous rotation about the switching and attenuation axes. A power level of a spectral channel may be attenuated by rotating the channel micromirror with respect to an effective attenuation axis that is non-orthogonal to the dither axis through a combination of rotations about the switching axis and the attenuation axis.

Reduction of MEMS mirror edge diffraction in a wavelength selective switch using servo-based rotation about multiple non-orthogonal axes

Effects of diffraction of a spectral beam from an edge of the micromirrors are reduced in order to optimize the passband in a wavelength selective switch. The effects of diffraction on the pass band may be reduced by appropriate modification of the edges of the micromirrors, by modification of the input and/or output ports to allow for attenuation by rotation of the micromirror about the switching axis, by using rotation of the micromirror about both the attenuation axis and the switching axis to achieve the desired level of attenuation, by inserting an aperture at a focal plane or external to the device to reduce the magnitude of the micromirror edge diffraction transmitted to any or all output ports, or by appropriate filtering of angular frequencies with a diffraction grating used to separate a multi-channel optical signal into constituent spectral beams.

Optical add-drop multiplexer architecture with reduced effect of mirror edge diffraction

Effects of diffraction of a spectral beam from an edge of the micromirrors are reduced in order to optimize the passband in a wavelength selective switch. The effects of diffraction on the pass band may be reduced by using rotation of the micromirror about both the attenuation axis and the switching axis to achieve the desired level of attenuation. Peak coupling can be attained by dithering the micromirror about an axis tangent to a contour of constant attenuation using simultaneous rotation about the switching and attenuation axes.

Reduction of MEMS mirror edge diffraction in a wavelength selective switch using servo-based multi-axes rotation

A wavelength selective switch architecture for ROADMs for switching the spectral channels of a multi-channel, multi-wavelength optical signal between input and output ports employs a biaxial MEMS port mirror array for optimal coupling efficiency and ITU grid alignment, an anamorphic beam expander for expanding input optical signals to create an elongated beam profile, a diffraction grating for spatially separating the spectral channels, an anamorphic focusing lens system, an array of biaxial elongated channel MEMS micromirrors, a built-in Optical Channel Monitor, and an electronic feedback control system. The bi-axial channel micromirrors are rotatable about one axis to switch spectral channels between ports, and are rotatable about an orthogonal axis to vary the coupling of the spectral channel to an output port and control attenuation of the spectral signal for complete blocking or for a predetermined power level. The architecture affords hitless switching, near notchless operation, ITU channel alignment, high passband, stability over a broad temperature range, and minimum insertion loss through the optimal optical coupling efficiency enabled by the feedback control system.

Optimized reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer architecture with MEMS-based attenuation or power management

A method and apparatus for fabricating a MEMS apparatus having a device layer with an optical surface that is supported by a pedestal on a planar support layer that is suspended for movement with respect to a base support by hinge elements disposed in a different plane from the planar support layer. The surface area of the optical surface is maximized with respect to the base support to optimized the fill factor of the optical surface and afford a high passband. The height of the pedestal is selected to position the device layer sufficiently above the base support to afford an unobstructed predetermined angular rotation about each axis. The hinges may be made of thin-film material, fabricated by way of surface micromachining techniques. The hinges are disposed underneath the device layer enabling the optical surface to be maximized so that the entire surface becomes usable (e.g., for optical beam manipulation). MEMS devices afford an array of MEMS mirrors with a high optical fill factor and high passband. Further, use of both bulk and surface micromachining techniques gives a MEMS device with a large and flat mirror and flexible hinges capable of a substantial rotational range at modest electrostatic drive voltages.

High fill-factor bulk silicon mirrors

This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are then focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports, thereby constituting a dynamic optical drop module (RODM). By operating an RODM in reverse, a dynamic optical add module (ROAM) is also provided. The RODM (or ROAM) of the present invention may be further equipped with servo-control and power-management capabilities. Such RODMs and ROAMs can be used as building blocks to construct dynamically reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (OADMs) and other WDM optical networking systems.

Growing community of inventors

Morgan Hill, CA, United States of America

Joseph Eugene Davis