Opticnet, Inc.

Robert Fan

Martin Lim

Long Que

A tunable filter with a flattopped passband is provided for use as a micromachined optical filter with input and output optical fibers which provides a wavelength tunability with several discrete wavelengths and a flattopped passband. The standard Fabry-Perot resonator is modified by incorporating multilayer dielectrics to form a pair of interference filters, one of which is vibrated to provide for tunability and provision of several resonant wavelengths. The layers can either be deposited on an existing dielectric slab of a Fabry-Perot device or included on the ends of the input and output optical fibers which are then incorporated into the Fabry-Perot device.

Fiber optic tunable filter using a fabry-perot resonator

A latching mechanism for a MEMS actuator as, for example, a mirror in an N&times;N fiber optic switch, maintains a thermally actuated mirror in its actuated position even in the event of a power interruption by a pair of clamps, which clamp against an actuator arm. Such actuator arm is thermally actuated by a bent beam type of thermal actuator. To provide for effective fabrication using the MEMS technique (microelectromechanical system), on for example, a silicon substrate where the entire moveable structure is a suspended mechanism, the clamps are fabricated in a normally closed position. In this position they typically interfere with the line of motion of an enlarged portion of an actuator arm being directly in the line of motion or with a post and slot technique.

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Canoga Park, CA, United States of America

Robert Fan