M by n wavelength-selective switch

Abstract

An M×N wavelength selective switch (WSS) for an optical communication system includes: a first port array consisting of M ports for emitting/receiving beams, where M is a natural number equal to or greater than 2; a second port array consisting of N ports for emitting/receiving beams, where N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2; a dispersion element configured to split each beam at different angles according to different wavelength components on a dispersion plane; an imaging lens configured to readjust and focus the wavelengths of the beams split by the dispersion element; and a unitary switching element that includes a first switching part and a second switching part, the first and second switching parts being physically combined to form one integral component, the first switching part being configured to steer the beams independently on a switching plane such that angles of the beams are controlled according to wavelengths thereof, the second switching part being configured to steer beams independently on the switching plane such that a desired port in the second port array receives a beam from a corresponding port in the first port array.