JP2004126368A - Optical switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical switch capable of switching an optical path to be in three or more directions. <P>SOLUTION: Light projected from an input optical fiber 11 is made to enter output optical fibers 12 of three or more directions by discretely moving a mirror 15 which has a mirror surface 15a neither perpendicular nor parallel to the optical axis of the input optical fiber 11 by an actuator 13 in specified directions not in parallel relation with the mirror surface 15a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical switch used in optical communication and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An optical switch is a device that can block or change the direction of light emitted from an optical waveguide, and is widely used for various uses in an optical communication system.
[0003]
As such an optical switch, for example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a configuration of an optical switch that switches a traveling direction of output light among a plurality of optical fibers. Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration of an optical switch that transmits / blocks output light from each waveguide forming a waveguide array.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-44852
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-116388
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional optical switch, the optical path of the light emitted from the waveguide is simply switched between two directions: a direction in which the light travels straight without being blocked by the mirror, and a direction in which the light is blocked and reflected by the mirror. It is not possible to switch the optical path beyond the direction.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical switch that can switch an optical path in three or more directions.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An optical switch according to the present invention has an input optical waveguide, a plurality of output optical waveguides, and a mirror surface that is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the optical axis of the input optical waveguide, and the input optical waveguide and the output optical waveguide. And a reflecting mirror disposed on an optical path between the mirror and the actuator, and an actuator for moving the reflecting mirror in a direction not parallel to the mirror surface.
[0008]
According to the present invention, the light emitted from the input optical waveguide is incident on and reflected by a mirror surface that is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the optical axis of the input optical waveguide, and then is output from the plurality of output optical waveguides. Light enters one of the output optical waveguides. Since the mirror surface is moved by the actuator in a direction not parallel to the mirror surface, the optical path after reflection also moves with the movement of the mirror surface. Thus, the light emitted from the input optical waveguide can be made incident on another output optical waveguide. Therefore, the optical path can be switched in three or more directions with a simple structure.
[0009]
An optical switch according to the present invention includes a plurality of input optical waveguides, an output optical waveguide, and a mirror surface that is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the optical axis of the input optical waveguide, and wherein the input optical waveguide and the output optical waveguide And a reflecting mirror disposed on an optical path between the mirror and the actuator, and an actuator for moving the reflecting mirror in a direction not parallel to the mirror surface.
[0010]
According to the present invention, light emitted from any one of the plurality of input optical waveguides is incident on a mirror surface that is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the optical axis of the input optical waveguide and is reflected. After that, the light enters the output optical waveguide. Since the mirror surface is moved in a direction not parallel to the mirror surface by the actuator, it is possible to make the optical path after reflection of the light emitted from the plurality of input optical waveguides coincide with the optical axis of the output optical waveguide. . That is, light emitted from any one of the plurality of input optical waveguides can be made to enter one output optical waveguide. Therefore, light paths can be switched from three or more directions with a simple structure.
[0011]
In the optical switch according to the present invention, the actuator preferably moves the reflection mirror unit one-dimensionally, so that the actuator can be easily controlled, and the configuration of the driving unit can be simplified and downsized. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the size, integration, and cost of the actuator.
[0012]
Further, the optical switch according to the present invention preferably has a means for collimating the light emitted from the input optical waveguide. In this case, the light is emitted from the input optical waveguide and enters the output optical waveguide. Since the difference between the beam diameter of light and the beam diameter of the output optical waveguide can be reduced, it is possible to reduce insertion loss due to spatial propagation. Furthermore, since the loss due to the mirror position error is reduced, the permissible amount of the processing error in the manufacturing process is increased, and it is possible to simplify the manufacturing and reduce the cost by improving the yield.
[0013]
Further, in the optical switch according to the present invention, it is preferable that the actuator moves the mirror unit to a predetermined stop position, so that the light attenuated to a predetermined extent toward each output optical waveguide is provided. Since the light can be incident, the insertion loss of each output optical waveguide can be made uniform.
[0014]
Further, in the optical switch according to the present invention, it is preferable that the reflection mirror section has two mirrors. In this case, the input optical waveguide and the output optical waveguide are provided in a case for housing the optical switch. Since they can be integrated on the same side, the space in the case for storing the optical switch can be saved.
[0015]
Further, in the optical switch according to the present invention, the angle between the two mirror surfaces is preferably 90 degrees, and in this case, the angle between the light incident on the mirror and the reflected light becomes 180 degrees. Therefore, it is also possible to arrange the input optical waveguide and the output optical waveguide in parallel, and it is possible to use general-purpose components such as a parallel plane waveguide, a fiber array, or a multi-core optical connector as the optical waveguide, thereby reducing the cost. Become.
[0016]
Further, in the optical switch according to the present invention, the sum of the angle of incidence on one of the two mirror surfaces and the angle between the moving direction of the reflecting mirror portion and the surface direction of the one mirror surface is 90. In this case, since the amount of displacement of the optical axis with respect to the amount of movement of the mirror unit can be set to the maximum, optical switching can be performed with a smaller amount of movement, and as a result, the size of the actuator can be reduced. In addition to achieving cost reduction and cost reduction, it is possible to reduce the driving force of the actuator, the driving voltage / power / current, and the control time.
[0017]
Further, in the optical switch according to the present invention, it is preferable that an air gap is provided between the two mirror surfaces, so that light can be transmitted between the two mirror surfaces. The number of switching destination optical waveguides can be increased by one.
[0018]
In the optical switch according to the present invention, the optical waveguide is preferably an optical fiber. In this case, general-purpose components such as a fiber array and a multi-core optical connector can be used as the optical waveguide. Will be possible. Furthermore, compared with the case of using a PLC (planar optical waveguide), the connection between the optical fiber and the PLC is not required, so that the loss at the connection portion is reduced and the loss can be reduced. Becomes unnecessary, and the cost can be reduced.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the optical switch according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference symbols, without redundant description.
[0020]
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an optical switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The optical switch 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a “1 × n type” (“1 × 3 type” in the present embodiment) switch. The optical switch 1 has a substrate 16. On the surface of the substrate 16, an optical fiber 11 (hereinafter, referred to as an input optical fiber) on an input side of the optical switch and an output side of the optical switch are provided. The optical fibers 12 (hereinafter, referred to as output optical fibers) are formed so as to intersect at substantially right angles on the respective extension lines in the longitudinal direction. The input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 do not necessarily have to be formed so as to intersect at substantially right angles on the respective extension lines in the longitudinal direction.
[0021]
In the present embodiment, a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) optical fibers 12 a to 12 c are formed on the surface of the substrate 16 as the output optical fibers 12. Further, an actuator 13 described later is formed on the surface of the substrate 16 of the optical switch 1.
[0022]
In addition, the optical switch 1 includes a support member 14 driven by the actuator 13 and a mirror unit 15 attached to one end of the support member 14. The mirror section 15 has a mirror surface 15a for reflecting light emitted from the input optical fiber 11 toward the output optical fiber 12. Note that the mirror unit 15 is disposed on the optical path between the input fiber 11 and the output fiber 12.
[0023]
Here, as shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, light emitted from one end t1 of the input optical fiber 11 is reflected by the mirror surface 15a, and one end t2 to t4 of each of the output optical fibers 12a to 12c. The one ends t2 to t4 are positioned so that the reflected light path distances A to C until the light enters the light emitting device are equal.
[0024]
By setting the reflected optical path distances A to C to be equal in this way, the intensity of light emitted from the input optical fiber 11 and entering each of the output optical fibers 12a to 12c can be equalized.
[0025]
In the present embodiment, the diameter of the core 11k near one end t1 of the input optical fiber 11 and the diameter of the core 12k near one end t2 to t4 of each of the output optical fibers 12a to 12c are larger than those of the other parts. I am trying to become.
[0026]
In this way, the light emitted from the input optical fiber 11 is spatially propagated until it enters the output optical fiber 12 in a collimated state. It becomes possible to suppress as much as possible. Note that as a method of increasing the core diameter, a TEC technique or the like for heating the optical fiber may be applied. The means for collimating the light emitted from the input optical fiber 11 is not particularly limited to this. For example, a collimating lens may be disposed in front of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12, or the input optical fiber The core of the tip of the optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 may be spherical. In this case, it is also possible to obtain the same effect as the case where the core diameter is increased.
[0027]
FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a state in which the input side optical fiber 11 is fixed to the surface of the substrate 16. The optical fiber 11 is fixed by being fitted into a V-groove 40 formed on the substrate 16.
[0028]
By fixing the optical fiber 11 using the V-groove processing as described above, it is possible to further reduce the cost. The output side optical fiber 12 is similarly fixed. Note that the method of fixing the optical fibers 11 and 12 to the surface of the substrate 16 is not limited to V-groove processing. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the columns 41a and 41b sandwich both sides of the optical fiber 11 in the longitudinal direction. May be fixed.
[0029]
By fixing the optical fiber 11 using the pillars as described above, it is possible to further reduce the cost.
[0030]
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the actuator 13. The actuator 13 forms a driving unit 13 a on the surface of the substrate 16. The driving unit 13a includes a first comb-shaped electrode 17 and a second comb-shaped electrode 18 provided on the surface of the substrate 16 with the comb teeth facing each other, and between the first and second comb-shaped electrodes 17, 18. And a comb-shaped floating electrode 19 that is located at a part thereof and is separated from the surface of the substrate 16.
[0031]
The comb-shaped floating electrode 19 connects the comb-shaped electrode 19a, the base portion 19c directly formed on the surface of the substrate, the comb-shaped electrode 19a and the base portion 19c, and separates the comb-shaped electrode 19a from the surface of the substrate by a predetermined distance. And a leaf spring 19b supported by the support.
[0032]
The comb electrode 19 a is connected to the support member 14. Further, the comb-shaped electrodes 19a extend in a direction perpendicular to both sides of the support member 14, and do not contact between the comb teeth of the first and second comb-shaped electrodes 17, 18 and have the first and second comb-shaped electrodes. The electrodes 17 and 18 extend toward the comb teeth.
[0033]
It is desirable that each component and the mirror section 15 constituting the actuator 13 are formed of conductive silicon (Si). Accordingly, the actuator 13 and the mirror portion 15 can be processed by photolithography and etching techniques, which are semiconductor processes, so that it is possible to reduce the cost of products by mass production and to facilitate manufacture.
[0034]
Next, the operation of the actuator 13 will be described. When a predetermined voltage is applied to the first comb-shaped electrode 17 and the comb-shaped floating electrode 19, the comb-shaped floating electrode 19 separated from the surface of the substrate 16 is entirely deformed by the leaf spring 19b. 17 is pulled by electrostatic force.
[0035]
As the position of the comb-shaped floating electrode 19 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow S1 in FIG. 3, the support member 14 and the mirror portion 15 held by the comb-shaped floating electrode 19 of the driving portion 13a also move to the arrow S1. Will move in the direction indicated by.
[0036]
Similarly, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the second comb-shaped electrode 18 and the comb-shaped floating electrode 19, the comb-shaped floating electrode 19 separated from the surface of the substrate 16 causes the second comb-shaped electrode 18 as a whole to generate an electrostatic force. Pulled by.
[0037]
As described above, the position of the comb-shaped floating electrode 19 moves in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow S1 in FIG. 3, so that the support member 14 and the mirror unit 15 held by the comb-shaped floating electrode 19 in conjunction with each other. Also moves in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow S1.
[0038]
As described above, by controlling the voltage applied to the first or second comb-shaped electrodes 17, 18 and the comb-shaped floating electrode 19, the mirror section 15 is moved along a line parallel to the longitudinal direction of the comb-shaped electrode 19a (see FIG. It can be moved in one direction of translation by a desired amount of movement (up and down directions on three pages).
[0039]
By providing such an actuator 13, the optical switch 1 in the present embodiment discretely moves the position of the support member 14 to the positions P1, P2, and P3 shown in FIG. When the support member 14 moves to the positions P1, P2, and P3, the mirror unit 15 attached to one end of the support member 14 also moves discretely. In addition, as the actuator 13 for driving the mirror unit 15, for example, a cantilever having one end fixed to the substrate 16 may be used instead of the comb-shaped floating electrode 19.
[0040]
Here, the positions of P1, P2, and P3 are set as follows. First, the position of P1 is set to a position where the optical axis of light emitted from the input optical fiber 11 and reflected by the mirror surface 15a coincides with the optical axis of the output optical fiber 12a. Similarly, the position of P2 is set such that the optical axis of the light reflected by the mirror surface 15a coincides with the optical axis of the output optical fiber 12b, and the position of P3 is the light reflected by the mirror surface 15a. Is set at a position where the optical axis of the optical fiber coincides with the optical axis of the output optical fiber 12c.
[0041]
As described above, by moving the mirror unit 15 discretely, the light emitted from the input optical fiber 11 is reflected on the mirror surface 15a that has been discretely moved, and the output optical fibers 12a to 12c are reflected. Can be incident on the light.
[0042]
Further, the positions of P1, P2, and P3 do not necessarily need to be positions where the optical axes coincide. For example, while measuring the light from each output optical fiber, the positions of P1, P2, and P3 may be determined so that the intensity of each light becomes a predetermined level. This makes it possible to provide an optical switch in which the light from each output optical fiber has a predetermined degree, for example, the intensity of all the light is uniform.
[0043]
Next, an angle between the moving direction of the mirror unit 15 and the plane direction of the mirror surface 15a will be described with reference to FIG.
[0044]
The angle d1 between the moving direction v of the mirror unit 15 and the surface direction m of the mirror surface 15a needs to be set so as not to be 0 degrees. The angle d1 becomes 0 degrees when the movement direction v of the mirror unit 15 and the surface direction m of the mirror surface 15a coincide with each other and are in a parallel relationship. In such a case, the mirror unit 15 is moved. This is because the optical path of the light emitted from the input optical fiber 11 and reflected by the mirror surface 15a does not change even if it is moved.
[0045]
Next, the angle between the optical axis of light emitted from the input optical fiber 11 and incident on the mirror surface 15a and the surface direction of the mirror surface 15a will be described with reference to FIG.
[0046]
The angle d2 between the optical axis n of the incident light and the surface direction m of the mirror surface 15a needs to be set so as not to be 0 or 90 degrees. This is because, when the angle d2 is 0 degrees, the reflected light cannot be obtained because the optical axis n of the incident light is incident parallel to the surface direction m of the mirror surface 15a. When the angle d2 is 90 degrees, the angle between the incident light and the reflected light is 180 degrees because the optical axis n of the incident light is perpendicular to the surface direction m of the mirror surface 15a. Is not allowed to enter the output optical fiber 12.
[0047]
As described above, the light is reflected by the mirror surface 15a which is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the optical axis of the incident light, and the mirror surface 15a is moved in a direction which is not parallel to the surface direction, so that the light path after the reflection becomes parallel. , And can be moved continuously or discretely.
[0048]
[Second embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an optical switch according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The optical switch 2 shown in FIG. 6 has a substrate 16, and an input optical fiber 21 and an output optical fiber 22 are formed on the surface of the substrate 16 so as to be substantially parallel.
[0049]
In this embodiment, four optical fibers 22a to 22d are formed on the surface of the substrate 16 as the output optical fibers 22, and the input optical fibers 21 are formed in the middle.
[0050]
Further, an actuator 13 is formed on the surface of the substrate 16 of the optical switch 2. The optical switch 2 includes a support member 14 driven by the actuator 13 and a mirror unit 25 attached to one end of the support member 14.
[0051]
The mirror section 15 has two mirror surfaces 25a and 25b for reflecting light emitted from the input optical fiber 21 toward the output optical fiber 22, and these mirror surfaces 25a and 25b are formed on the optical fiber side. The angle is set to 90 degrees. By setting the angle between the mirror surfaces 25a and 25b on the optical fiber side to 90 degrees in this way, the angle between the light incident on the mirror surface 25a and the reflected light from the mirror surface 25b becomes 180 degrees. Thus, in the present embodiment, the input optical fiber 21 and the output optical fiber 22 can be arranged substantially in parallel.
[0052]
In FIG. 6, the angle formed between the two mirror surfaces 25a and 25b on the optical fiber side is 90 degrees, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, 270 degrees. When the angle is smaller than 180 degrees, the light is reflected by the two surfaces 25a and 25b of the mirror unit 25 and enters the output optical fiber 22, but when the angle is larger than 180 degrees. The light is reflected only on one surface 25a or 25b of the mirror section 25 and enters the output optical fiber 22.
[0053]
In the optical switch 2 according to the present embodiment, the positions of the ends t6 to t9 are determined so that the reflected light path distances from the end t5 of the input optical fiber 21 to the ends t6 to t9 of the output optical fibers 22 are equal. I have. By setting the reflected light path distances to be equal as described above, the intensity of light emitted from the input optical fiber 21 and entering each of the output optical fibers 22a to 22d can be equalized.
[0054]
Here, in the present embodiment, although not shown, the core diameter near one end t5 to t9 of each of the optical fibers 21 and 22 is set to be larger than the core diameters of the other portions as in the first embodiment. Is also good. Further, the actuator 13 is configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0055]
By providing the same actuator 13 as in the first embodiment, the optical switch 2 in the present embodiment discretely moves the position of the support member 14 to the positions P21, P22, P23, and P24 shown in FIG. . When the support member 14 moves to the positions P21, P22, P23, and P24, the mirror section 25 attached to one end of the support member 14 also moves discretely.
[0056]
Here, the positions of P21, P22, P23, and P24 are set as follows. First, the position of P21 is set to a position where the optical axis of light emitted from the input optical fiber 21 and reflected by the mirror surfaces 25b and 25a coincides with the optical axis of the output optical fiber 22a. Similarly, the position of P22 is set to a position where the optical axis of the light reflected by the mirror surfaces 25b and 25a coincides with the optical axis of the output optical fiber 22b, and the position of P23 is set by the mirror surfaces 25a and 25b. The optical axis of the reflected light is set to a position that matches the optical axis of the output optical fiber 22c, and the position of P24 is such that the optical axis of the light reflected by the mirror surfaces 25a and 25b is the light axis of the output optical fiber 22d. Set to a position that matches the axis.
[0057]
As described above, by moving the mirror unit 25 discretely, the light emitted from the input optical fiber 21 is reflected by the discretely moved mirror surfaces 25a and 25b, so that each output optical fiber 22a is reflected. To 22d.
[0058]
Next, the relationship between the amount of movement of the mirror unit 25 and the amount of displacement of the optical axis will be described with reference to FIG. Let X be the amount of movement of the mirror unit 25 when the mirror unit 25 moves from the position M1 to the position M2. The angle between the optical axis of the incident light N and the surface direction of the mirror surface 25a is d22, and the angle between the movement direction of the mirror unit 25 and the surface direction of the mirror surface 25a is d21.
[0059]
First, when the optical axis shift amount of the reflected light P1 and the reflected light P2 with respect to the incident light N in the case where the mirror part 25 is constituted by only one mirror surface 25a is Y1, and Y1 is represented by X, d21, and d22,
[0060]
Y1 = 2X * sin (d21) * cos (d22) (Equation 1)
[0061]
It becomes. The reflected light P1 is light reflected by the mirror surface 25a when the mirror unit 25 is at the position M1, and the reflected light P2 is light reflected by the mirror surface 25a when the mirror unit 25 is at the position M2.
[0062]
Further, when the mirror unit 25 is constituted by two mirror surfaces 25a and 25b, the optical axis shift amount of the reflected lights Q1 and Q2 with respect to the incident light N is Y2, and Y2 is represented by X, d21, and d22.
[0063]
Y2 = 2X * sin (d21 + d22) (Equation 2)
[0064]
It becomes. The reflected light Q1 is light reflected by the mirror surfaces 25a and 25b when the mirror 25 is at the position M1, and the reflected light Q2 is light reflected by the mirror surfaces 25a and b when the mirror 25 is at the position M2.
[0065]
Here, comparing Equations 1 and 2, in the case of the above-described Equation 1, “Y1 <2X” is always obtained. However, in the case of the Equation 2, when (d21 + d22) becomes 90 degrees, “Y2 = 2X” may be satisfied. Thus, the maximum value of Y2 may be greater than the maximum value of Y1. That is, in the case of two mirror surfaces (Y2) than in the case of one mirror surface (Y1), the optical axis shift amount with respect to the mirror movement amount can be larger.
[0066]
As a result, it becomes possible to perform optical switching with a smaller moving amount than in the case of a single mirror surface, and thus it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the actuator, as well as the driving force, driving voltage, power and current of the actuator. And control time can be reduced.
[0067]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state where the optical switch 2 in the present embodiment is housed in a case. As shown in FIG. 10, by using the optical switch 2 in the present embodiment, the input optical fiber 21 and the output optical fiber 22 can be arranged substantially in parallel. The optical fibers 21 and 22 can be integrated on the side surface 2a. As a result, the storage space can be further reduced.
[0068]
[Modification of Second Embodiment]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an optical switch 3 which is a modified example of the optical switch 2 according to the second embodiment. The optical switch 3 according to the present modification is different from the optical switch 2 according to the above-described second embodiment in that the optical switch 2 according to the above-described second embodiment has a mirror unit 25 in which two mirror surfaces 25a and 25b are integrated. However, the optical switch 3 according to the present modification uses the mirror section 35 having a gap between the two mirror surfaces 35a and 35b, and the output optical fiber 32 is It is also formed at a position facing the optical fiber 31 with the mirror section 35 interposed therebetween.
[0069]
Note that the actuator is configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. The position of the actuator in this modification is not shown because it is located above the optical switch shown in FIG. 11 (above the vertical direction on the paper of FIG. 11).
[0070]
By configuring the optical switch 3 as shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to increase the number of output optical fibers 32 compared to the optical switch 2 in the second embodiment.
[0071]
The optical switch 3 according to the present modification has one end t12 to t16 such that the reflection optical path distance or the transmission optical path distance from one end t11 of the input optical fiber 31 to one end t12 to t16 of each output optical fiber 32 is equal. Positioning has been done. By setting the reflected light path distance or the transmitted light path distance equal in this way, the intensity of light emitted from the input optical fiber 31 and entering each of the output optical fibers 32a to 32e can be made equal.
[0072]
[Third embodiment]
FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an optical switch according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The optical switch 4 according to the third embodiment is an “n × 1 type” (“3 × 1 type” in this embodiment) switch used as a selector.
[0073]
The optical switch 4 according to the present embodiment is different from the optical switch 1 according to the above-described first embodiment in that the optical switch 1 according to the first embodiment outputs a plurality of lights emitted from one input optical fiber 11 to a plurality of output optical fibers. While the light enters one of the output optical fibers 12 of the optical fibers 12, the optical switch 4 according to the present embodiment emits light from any of the plurality of input optical fibers 42. The point is that light enters one output optical fiber 41.
[0074]
The structure of each part of the optical switch 4 according to the present embodiment is the same as the structure of each part of the optical switch 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
[0075]
Next, in the optical switch 4 according to the present embodiment, the position of the support member 14 driven by the actuator 13 is discretely moved to positions P1, P2, and P3 shown in FIG. When the support member 14 moves to the positions P1, P2, and P3, the mirror unit 15 attached to one end of the support member 14 also moves discretely.
[0076]
Here, the positions of P1, P2, and P3 are set as follows. First, the position of P1 is set to a position where the optical axis of the light emitted from the input optical fiber 42a and reflected by the mirror surface 15a coincides with the optical axis of the output optical fiber 41. Similarly, the position of P2 is set such that the optical axis of the light emitted from the input optical fiber 42b and reflected by the mirror surface 15a coincides with the optical axis of the output optical fiber 41, and the position of P3 is set. The optical axis of the light emitted from the input optical fiber 42c and reflected by the mirror surface 15a is set to a position that matches the optical axis of the output optical fiber 41.
[0077]
In this way, by moving the mirror unit 15 discretely, the light emitted from each input optical fiber 42 is reflected by the discretely moved mirror surface 15a, and one output optical fiber 41 Can be incident on the light.
[0078]
Note that the optical switch 4 according to the present embodiment can be configured by the optical switch 2 shown in FIG. 6 and the optical switch 3 shown in FIG.
[0079]
In each of the embodiments described above, the input optical waveguide and the output optical waveguide are configured by optical fibers, but these optical waveguides may be configured by PLC (planar optical waveguide).
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
According to the optical switch of the present invention, the optical path can be switched in three or more directions.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an optical switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship of the optical fiber shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the actuator shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an angle between a movement direction of a mirror unit shown in FIG. 1 and a surface direction of a mirror surface.
5 is a diagram illustrating an angle between an optical axis of light emitted from the input optical fiber illustrated in FIG. 1 and incident on a mirror surface and a surface direction of the mirror surface.
FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating an optical switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a movement amount of a mirror unit and a shift amount of an optical axis illustrated in FIG. 7;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the optical fiber in the optical switch according to the present invention is fixed to the surface of the substrate.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the optical fiber in the optical switch according to the present invention is fixed to the surface of the substrate.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state where the optical switch shown in FIG. 1 is housed in a case.
FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an optical switch according to a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an optical switch according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 2, 3, 4 ... optical switch, 11, 21, 31, 42 ... input optical fiber (input optical waveguide), 12, 22, 32, 41 ... output optical fiber (output , Actuator, 15, 25, 35 ... mirror part (reflection mirror part), 15a, 25a, 25b, 35a, 35b ... mirror surface.

Claims (10)

An input optical waveguide,
A plurality of output optical waveguides;
A mirror surface that is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the optical axis of the input optical waveguide, and is disposed on an optical path between the input optical waveguide and the output optical waveguide;
An optical switch, comprising: an actuator that moves the reflection mirror unit in a direction that is not parallel to the mirror surface. A plurality of input optical waveguides;
An output optical waveguide;
A mirror surface that is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the optical axis of the input optical waveguide, and is disposed on an optical path between the input optical waveguide and the output optical waveguide;
An optical switch, comprising: an actuator that moves the reflection mirror unit in a direction that is not parallel to the mirror surface. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein the actuator moves the reflection mirror unit one-dimensionally. The optical switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: means for collimating light emitted from the input optical waveguide. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein the actuator moves the reflection mirror to a predetermined stop position. The optical switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reflection mirror unit has two mirror surfaces. The optical switch according to claim 6, wherein an angle between the two mirror surfaces is 90 degrees. The sum of the angle of incidence on one of the two mirror surfaces and the angle formed by the moving direction of the reflection mirror unit and the surface direction of the one mirror surface is 90 degrees. 8. The optical switch according to 6 or 7. The optical switch according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a gap is provided between the two mirror surfaces. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide is an optical fiber.

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