JP2005091910A - Optical wavelength router, device equipped therewith and control method of optical wavelength router - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical wavelength branch inserting device which has a simple structure and a low cost. <P>SOLUTION: The light including wavelengths λ1-λ4 from an input port 11 and the light including wavelengths λ2', λ4' from an inserting port 12 are demultiplexed by a grating and irradiated to a micro mirror array 25. The rays of light with the wavelength λ1, λ3 from the input port 11 are each reflected by micro mirrors 21, 23 for the λ1, λ3 in a first tilt state and emitted to an output port 13, while those with the wavelength λ2, λ4 from the input port 11 are each reflected by micro mirrors 22, 24 for the λ2, λ4 in a second tilt state and emitted to a branch port 14. The rays of light with the wavelength λ2', λ4' from an inserting port 12 are each reflected by the micro mirrors 22, 24 for the λ2, λ4 in a second tilt state and emitted to the output port 13. The micro mirrors 22, 24 in the second tilt state make the light from the two different ports 11, 12 directed to the two different ports 13, 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical wavelength router that determines an output destination of light having a desired wavelength among lights including one or more wavelengths, an apparatus including the same, and a method for controlling the optical wavelength router.

  Examples of the optical wavelength router include an optical wavelength add / drop device (OADM: Optical Add Drop Multiplex) and an optical wavelength switching device (OXC: Optical cross Conect).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the optical wavelength branching / inserting device 3 drops light of λ2 and λ4 to the outside from a route 1 through which light including wavelengths of λ1 to λ4 passes, for example. 1 is used to add light of λ2 ′ and λ4 ′ from the outside. For this reason, this optical wavelength add / drop device 3 requires an input port that accepts light from the outside in addition to an input port that accepts light from route 1 as an input port. In addition to the output port that outputs, an output port that outputs light to the outside is required.

  As shown in FIG. 13, for example, the optical wavelength switching device 4 passes light including wavelengths λ1 to λ4 through the first route 1 and wavelengths λ1 ′ to λ4 ′ through the second route 2. Λ2 ′ and λ4 ′ light is branched from the first route 1 to the second route 2 and λ2 ′ and λ4 ′ light is transmitted from the second route 2 to the first route 1. Used for branching. For this reason, this optical wavelength switching device 4 requires an input port that receives light from the first route and an input port that receives light from the second route as input ports. An output port that outputs light to the second route and an output port that outputs light to the second route are required.

  Conventionally, as described above, the optical wavelength branching / insertion device and the optical wavelength switching device that require a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports are combined with a plurality of optical wavelength routers described in Patent Document 1 below. It is composed.

  The optical wavelength router described in Patent Document 1 demultiplexes light from one input port into light for each of a plurality of wavelength regions using a grating, and the light for each wavelength region is transmitted to each mirror of a micromirror array. The light is reflected to guide light in one of the wavelength ranges to a plurality of output ports.

  For example, in the optical wavelength branching / inserting device 3 shown in FIG. 12, it is necessary to combine two optical wavelength routers having one input port and two output ports, and in the optical wavelength switching device 4 shown in FIG. It is necessary to combine two optical wavelength add / drop devices 3, that is, four optical wavelength routers with one input port and two output ports.

US6,289,145B1

  However, in the prior art, in order to construct an optical wavelength add / drop device and an optical wavelength switching device having a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports, an optical wavelength router having one input port and a plurality of output ports, Alternatively, it is necessary to combine a plurality of optical wavelength routes having a plurality of input ports and a single output port. This requires the number of gratings and micromirror arrays as many as the number of optical wavelength routers, which increases the size of the apparatus. However, there is a problem that the apparatus cost also increases.

  The present invention pays attention to such a problem of the prior art, and even if it has a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports, the optical wavelength router can reduce the device size and reduce the device cost. An object of the present invention is to provide a device including the same and a method for controlling an optical wavelength router.

The wavelength router of the invention according to claim 1 for solving the above problem is
Among the light including one or more wavelengths, in the optical wavelength router that determines the output destination of the light in the desired wavelength range,
First and second input ports;
1 has a demultiplexing effect of demultiplexing light into a plurality of wavelength regions and a multiplexing effect of multiplexing light in a plurality of wavelength regions, and is irradiated with light from the first and second input ports. Two multiplexing / demultiplexing elements,
A plurality of mirrors arranged in a row, and the light from the first and second input ports, which is demultiplexed for each of a plurality of wavelength ranges by the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, is reflected by each mirror for each wavelength range. A mirror element for directing light in each wavelength region to the multiplexing / demultiplexing element;
First and second output ports through which light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the mirror element is incident;
Light from the first and second input ports is condensed on the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element, and light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the mirror elements is output to the first and second output ports. An optical system that focuses light on
Mirror driving means for changing the orientation of each of the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element;
It is characterized by having.

The optical wavelength router of the invention according to claim 2 is:
The optical wavelength router according to claim 1,
The mirror driving means can switch each of the mirrors of the mirror element between a first tilt state and a second tilt state,
In the first tilt state, the plurality of mirrors direct light passing through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the first input port to the first output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, The light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the second input port is not directed to any output port,
In the second tilt state, the plurality of mirrors direct light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the first input port to the second output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, The light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the second input port is directed to the first output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element.

The optical wavelength router of the invention according to claim 3 is:
The optical wavelength router according to claim 1,
The mirror driving means can switch each of the mirrors of the mirror element between a first tilt state and a second tilt state,
The mirror in the second tilt state is tilted by an angle + ε with respect to the mirror in the first tilt state, and the light from the first input port is at an angle − with respect to the normal of the mirror in the first tilt state− When entering the mirror at θ,
The second input port is disposed at a position where light from the second input port is incident at an angle − (θ−2ε) with respect to the normal of the mirror in the first tilt state.
The first output port is disposed at a position where the first output port is incident on the mirror at an angle + θ with respect to the normal of the mirror in the first tilt state when the light from the first output port is output;
When the second output port outputs light from the second output port, the second output port is incident on the mirror at an angle + (θ + 2ε) with respect to the normal of the mirror in the first tilt state. It is characterized by being arranged.

The optical wavelength router of the invention according to claim 4 is:
Among the light including one or more wavelengths, in the optical wavelength router that determines the output destination of the light in the desired wavelength range,
First and second input ports;
1 has a demultiplexing effect of demultiplexing light into a plurality of wavelength regions and a multiplexing effect of multiplexing light in a plurality of wavelength regions, and is irradiated with light from the first and second input ports. Two multiplexing / demultiplexing elements,
A plurality of mirrors arranged in a row, and the light from the first and second input ports, which is demultiplexed for each of a plurality of wavelength ranges by the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, is reflected by each mirror for each wavelength range. A mirror element for directing light in each wavelength region to the multiplexing / demultiplexing element;
First and second output ports through which light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the mirror element is incident;
Light from the first and second input ports is condensed on the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element, and light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the plurality of mirrors is applied to the first and second output ports. A condensing optical system;
With
The specific mirror and the remaining mirrors among the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element have different directions.
The specific mirror of the mirror element directs light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the first input port to the first output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, and The light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the input port is not directed to any output port,
The remaining mirror of the mirror element directs light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the first input port to the second output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, and The light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the input port is directed to the first output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element.

The optical wavelength router of the invention according to claim 5 is:
In the optical wavelength router according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The multiplexing / demultiplexing element is a grating in which a plurality of grooves are formed in parallel to each other,
The plurality of mirrors of the mirror element are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the groove of the grating extends,
The second input port with respect to the first input port and the second output port with respect to the first output port are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the groove of the grating extends. It is characterized by being.

An optical wavelength branching / inserting device of an invention according to claim 6 for solving the above problem is
An optical wavelength router according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The second output port forms a branching port that branches light in any one of a plurality of wavelength ranges from the first input port,
The second input port forms an insertion port for inserting light of a desired wavelength range to be inserted into light from the first input port.

An optical wavelength switching device of an invention according to claim 7 for solving the above problem is
Two optical wavelength routers according to any one of claims 1 to 5 are provided,
Of the two optical wavelength routers, the second output port of the first optical wavelength router serves as the first branch port, and the second input port of the second optical wavelength router as the second insertion port. The light from the second output port of the first optical wavelength router is incident on the second input port of the second optical wavelength router;
The second output port of the second optical wavelength router is connected to the second input port of the first optical wavelength router as the first insertion port as the second branch port, The light from the second output port of the second optical wavelength router is incident on the second input port of the first optical wavelength router.

The optical wavelength switching device of the invention according to claim 8 is,
An optical wavelength router according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Third and fourth input ports for emitting light to the mirror element via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element; and third and fourth output ports for receiving light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element via the mirror element; With
The second output port is connected to the fourth input port as a second insertion port as a first branch port, and light from the second output port is connected to the fourth input port. Incident,
The fourth output port is connected to the second input port as a first insertion port as a second branch port, and light from the fourth output port is connected to the second input port. It is incident.

The optical wavelength switching device of the invention according to claim 9 is,
The optical wavelength switching device according to claim 8,
The multiplexing / demultiplexing element is a grating in which a plurality of grooves are formed in parallel to each other,
The plurality of mirrors of the mirror element are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the groove of the grating extends,
The second input port, the third output port, and the fourth output port are aligned with respect to the first input port in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the groove of the grating extends, and The fourth input port, the first output port, and the second output port with respect to the three input ports are also arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the groove of the grating extends,
The third input port with respect to the first input port and the third output port with respect to the first output port are arranged in a direction in which the groove of the grating extends. Features.

The optical wavelength switching device of the invention according to claim 10 is:
The optical wavelength switching device according to claim 9, wherein
The mirror element is disposed at a position in a direction in which the groove of the grating extends and is intermediate between the optical axis of the first input port and the optical axis of the third input port. It is characterized by that.

A method for controlling a wavelength router according to an eleventh aspect of the invention for solving the above problem is as follows.
In the control method of the optical wavelength router that determines the output destination of the light in the desired wavelength region among the light including one or more wavelengths,
The optical wavelength router is:
First and second input ports;
1 has a demultiplexing effect of demultiplexing light into a plurality of wavelength regions and a multiplexing effect of multiplexing light in a plurality of wavelength regions, and is irradiated with light from the first and second input ports. Two multiplexing / demultiplexing elements,
A plurality of mirrors arranged in a row, and the light from the first and second input ports, which is demultiplexed for each of a plurality of wavelength ranges by the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, is reflected by each mirror for each wavelength range. A mirror element for directing light in each wavelength region to the multiplexing / demultiplexing element;
First and second output ports through which light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the mirror element is incident;
Light from the first and second input ports is condensed on the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element, and light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the plurality of mirrors is applied to the first and second output ports. A condensing optical system;
Mirror driving means for changing the orientation of each of the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element;
With
By the mirror driving means, a specific mirror among the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element is set to a first tilt state, and the remaining mirrors are set to a second tilt state,
In the first tilt state, the specific mirror of the mirror element transmits light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the first input port to the first output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element. The light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the second input port is not directed to any output port,
In the second tilt state, the remaining mirror of the mirror element transmits light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the first input port to the second output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element. Directing the light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the second input port to the first output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element,
It is characterized by that.

The control method of the optical wavelength router of the invention according to claim 12 is:
In the control method of the optical wavelength router that determines the output destination of the light in the desired wavelength region among the light including one or more wavelengths,
The optical wavelength router is:
First and second input ports;
1 has a demultiplexing effect of demultiplexing light into a plurality of wavelength regions and a multiplexing effect of multiplexing light in a plurality of wavelength regions, and is irradiated with light from the first and second input ports. Two multiplexing / demultiplexing elements,
A plurality of mirrors arranged in a row, and the light from the first and second input ports, which is demultiplexed for each of a plurality of wavelength ranges by the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, is reflected by each mirror for each wavelength range. A mirror element for directing light in each wavelength region to the multiplexing / demultiplexing element;
First and second output ports through which light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the mirror element is incident;
Light from the first and second input ports is condensed on the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element, and light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the plurality of mirrors is applied to the first and second output ports. A condensing optical system;
Mirror driving means for changing the orientation of each of the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element;
With
By the mirror driving means, a specific mirror among the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element is set to a first tilt state, and the remaining mirrors are set to a second tilt state,
With respect to the normal of the mirror in the first tilt state, light from the first input port is incident on the mirror at an angle −θ, and light from the second input port is at an angle −φ. When entering the mirror,
The mirror driving means tilts the mirror in the first tilt state by an angle + (φ−θ) / 2 to place the mirror in the second tilt state.

  According to the present invention, each mirror constituting the mirror element can direct the light from the first input port and the second input port to different first output ports and second output ports. One mirror element and one multiplexing / demultiplexing element are sufficient. Therefore, the optical wavelength router having a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports can be reduced in size and cost.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of the wavelength router according to the present invention will be described.

  First, a wavelength router as a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the wavelength router according to the present embodiment branches light of λ2 and λ4 from the route 1 through which light including wavelengths of λ1 to λ4 passes. This is an optical wavelength add / drop device 10 for inserting light of λ2 ′ and λ4 ′. Here, it is assumed that light including wavelengths λ1 to λ4 passes through the route 1, and the light of λ2 and λ4 is branched to the outside from the route 1, and the light of λ2 ′ and λ4 ′ is supplied to the route 1 from the outside. This is for the purpose of simplifying the following explanation. For example, light in a larger wavelength range passes through route 1, and more wavelength regions are transmitted from route 1. An apparatus that branches light may also be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the optical wavelength branching / inserting device 10 includes an input port 11 for receiving light including wavelengths λ1 to λ4, an insertion port 12 for inserting light of λ2 ′ and λ4 ′ from the outside, An output port 13 that outputs light of λ1, λ2 ′, λ3, and λ4 ′ to the route 1, a branch port 14 that outputs light of λ2 and λ4 to the outside, and demultiplexing that demultiplexes the light into a plurality of wavelength ranges A grating 19 having a function and a multiplexing action for combining light in a plurality of wavelength ranges, a MEMS (Mycro Electro Mechanical System) 20 having a micromirror array 25, and light from the input port 11 and the insertion port 12 is converted into the MEMS 20. And an optical system for condensing the light from the grating 19 that has passed through the micromirror array 25 to the output port 13 and the branch port 14. I have.

  The grating 19 is a reflective grating having a plurality of grooves parallel to each other. For the convenience of the following explanation, the direction in which the groove of the grating 19 extends is the Y direction, the direction perpendicular to the Y direction and the direction from the input port 11 toward the grating 19 is the Z direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. The direction perpendicular to the direction is taken as the X direction.

  The plurality of ports 11 to 14 are arranged in a line in the X direction perpendicular to the direction in which the groove of the grating 19 extends.

  The MEMS 20 includes a micromirror array 25 in which a plurality of micromirrors are arranged one-dimensionally, and a mirror driver 26 that individually drives each micromirror constituting the micromirror array 25. Each of the micromirrors is a plane mirror having the same size, and the size is about several tens of μm to several hundreds of μm square. Each micromirror reflects light for each wavelength region λ1 to λ4 incident from the input port 11. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, the micromirror array 25 reflects the λ1 micromirror 21 that reflects the λ1 light, the λ2 micromirror 22 that reflects the λ2 light, and the λ3 light. The micro mirror 23 for λ 3 and the micro mirror 24 for λ 4 that reflects the light of λ 4 are provided. The micromirrors are arranged in a line in the direction in which light is demultiplexed by the grating 19, that is, in the X direction. As described above, since the wavelength ranges λ1 to λ4 of the light incident from the input port 11 are determined for convenience, the number of micromirrors is larger when handling more wavelength ranges. It goes without saying that it will increase.

  The optical system 30 includes a micro lens 31 disposed in the vicinity of each port for each port, a focusing lens 32 disposed on the (+) Z side of the micro lens 31, and the focusing lens 32 and the grating 19. And a Littrow lens 33 disposed between the MEMS 20 and the grating 19. Each of the micro lenses 31 and 31 disposed in front of the input port 11 and the insertion port 12 functions as a collimating lens for converting the light from the input port 11 and the insertion port 12 into a parallel light flux. The microlenses 31 and 31 arranged in front of the port 14 function as a condensing lens that collects the light incident on the ports 13 and 14 at the ports 13 and 14. The focusing lens 32 has a function of expanding the width of the light transmitted from the input port 11 and the insertion port 12 via the microlenses 31 and 31 and the light transmitted from the Littrow lens 33 to the output port 13 and the insertion port 14 into a parallel light flux. It has a function to do. The Littrow lens 33 has a function of sending the light from the input port 11 and the insertion port 12 whose width of the light beam is widened by the focusing lens 32 to a parallel light beam to the grating 19 and a light beam to be sent from the grating 19 to the output port 13 and the branch port 14. And the function of condensing the light from the grating 19 to the MEMS 20 onto the micromirror array 25 and the function of converting the light sent from the micromirror array 25 to the grating 19 into a parallel light beam.

  The light from the input port 11 passes through the microlens 31, the focusing lens 32, and the Littrow lens 33, is applied to the grating 19, and is demultiplexed into light of λ1, λ2, λ3, and λ4. The light in each wavelength band passes through the Littrow lens 33 and is reflected by the corresponding micromirror of the MEMS 20. Similarly, the light from the insertion port 12 passes through the microlens 31, the focusing lens 32, and the Littrow lens 33, and is irradiated to the grating 19 and demultiplexed into light of λ2 ′ and λ4 ′. The light in each wavelength band passes through the Littrow lens 33 and is reflected by the corresponding micromirror of the MEMS 20. The light in each wavelength region reflected by the corresponding micromirror of the MEMS 20 passes through the Littrow lens 33 again, becomes a parallel light beam, and is irradiated on the grating 19. The light in each wavelength band is subjected to the multiplexing action of the grating, and is combined, passes through the Littrow lens 33, the focusing lens 32, and the microlens 31, and is one of the output port 13 and the branch port 14. Is incident on the port.

  Here, the routes after the light λ1, λ2, λ3, and λ4 from the input port 11 and the light λ2 ′ and λ4 ′ from the insertion port 12 are reflected by the corresponding micromirrors of the MEMS 20 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7D, each of the micromirrors 21 to 24 constituting the micromirror array 25 of the MEMS 20 can take a first tilt state and a second tilt state. In the first tilt state, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 2, the light λ1, λ2, λ3, and λ4 from the input port 11 are all reflected in the direction toward the output port 13. In the second tilt state, the light λ2 and λ4 from the input port 11 are reflected in the direction toward the branch port 14, as shown in FIGS. The light λ2′λ4 ′ from the insertion port 12 is reflected in the direction toward the output port 13 in the second tilt state, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 3, and any port in the first tilt state. Not suitable for. That is, the second tilt state is a state that plays two roles of directing light from the input port 11 to the branch port 14 and further directing light from the insertion port 12 to the output port 13. With regard to this state from the viewpoint of the arrangement of the insertion port 12, the light from the insertion port 12 is directed to the output port 13 in the second tilt state in which the light from the input port 11 is directed to the branch port 14. The insertion port 12 is disposed at a proper position.

  Here, the angle of the micromirror in the second tilt state with respect to the first tilt state and the existence direction of each port with respect to the micromirror will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the light from the input port 11 is incident on the micromirror M at an angle of −θ (= −20 °) with respect to the perpendicular P of the micromirror M in the first tilt state. Then. At this time, since the light from the input port 11 is directed to the output port 13 as described above, the output port 13 exists in the direction of + θ (= + 20 °) with respect to the perpendicular P of the micromirror M. Become.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, if the micromirror M in the second tilt state is inclined at an angle of + ε (= + 5 °) with respect to the micromirror M in the first tilt state. To do. At this time, the light from the input port 11 enters the micromirror M at an angle of − (θ + ε) (= −25 °) with respect to the perpendicular P of the micromirror M in the second tilt state. Since this light is directed to the branch port 14 as described above, the branch port 14 exists in the direction of + (θ + ε) (= + 25 °) with respect to the perpendicular P of the micromirror M in the second tilt state. In other words, it exists in the direction of + (θ + 2ε) (= + 30 °) with respect to the perpendicular P of the micromirror M in the first tilt state.

  In the second tilt state, the light from the insertion port 12 is directed to the output port 13 as described above. The output port 13 has + θ (= + 20 °) with respect to the perpendicular P of the micromirror M in the first tilt state, and + (θ−ε) (= with respect to the perpendicular P of the micromirror M in the second tilt state. + 15 °), in order for the light from the insertion port 12 to be directed to the output port 13 when in the second tilt state, − (θ) with respect to the perpendicular P of the micromirror M in the second tilt state. It is only necessary that the insertion port 12 exists in the direction of -ε) (= -15 °). Here, if the light from the insertion port 12 is incident on the micromirror M at an angle of −φ with respect to the perpendicular P of the micromirror M in the first tilt state, this −φ is − (θ−ε) + ε. =-(Θ-2ε) (= -10 °). That is, the insertion port 12 only needs to exist in the direction of −φ = − (θ−2ε) with respect to the perpendicular P of the micromirror M in the first tilt state. In other words, the micro mirror M in the second tilt state may be tilted by an angle of ε = (φ−θ) / 2 (= 5 °) than in the first tilt state.

  As described above, by determining the angle of the micro mirror in the second tilt state with respect to the first tilt state and the existence direction of each port with respect to the micro mirror, the light from the input port 11 can be obtained by one micro mirror as described above. Can be directed to the branch port 14, and at the same time, the light from the insertion port 12 can be directed to the output port 13.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, light including wavelengths λ1 to λ4 is input from the input port 11, light of λ2 ′ and λ4 ′ is input from the insertion port 12, and λ1, λ2 are input from the output port 13. The light of ', λ3, λ4' is output, and the light of λ2 and λ4 is output from the branch port 14. For this reason, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7D, the λ1 micromirror 21 and the light λ1 to λ4 in each wavelength region from the input port 11 demultiplexed by the grating 19 The λ3 micromirror 23 is set to the first tilt state, and the λ2 micromirror 22 and the λ4 micromirror 24 are set to the second tilt state. As a result, the light λ1 and λ3 from the input port 11 demultiplexed by the grating 19 are reflected by the first tilted micromirrors 21 and 23, and then multiplexed by the grating 19 and incident on the output port 13. . Lights λ 2 and λ 4 that have been demultiplexed by the grating 19 are reflected by the micromirrors 22 and 24 in the second tilt state, and then multiplexed by the grating 19 and incident on the branch port 14. Lights λ2 ′ and λ4 ′ that have been demultiplexed by the grating 19 are reflected by the micromirrors 22 and 24 in the second tilt state, and then multiplexed by the grating 19 and incident on the output port 13. To do.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since one micromirror can direct light from different input ports 11 and 12 to different output ports 13 and 14, for example, there is one input port and one output port. Even if two optical wavelength routers are not combined, the optical wavelength branching / inserting device 10 having two input ports 11 and 12 and two output ports 13 and 14 can be configured. That is, in the optical wavelength branching / inserting device 10 of this embodiment, the grating 19, the MEMS 20, and the optical system 30 are each one, so that the size of the device can be reduced and the device cost can be suppressed. .

  In the above, among the wavelengths λ1 to λ4 from the input port 11, the light of wavelengths λ2 and λ4 is output from the output port 13, and the light of wavelengths λ2 ′ and λ4 ′ is input from the insertion port 12. For example, when light of wavelengths λ1 and λ4 is output from the output port 13 and light of wavelengths λ2 ′ and λ3 ′ is input from the insertion port 12, the λ1 micromirror 21 and the λ4 micromirror 24 are first tilted. The λ2 micromirror 22 and the λ3 micromirror 23 may be brought into the second tilt state.

  In the present embodiment, the reflective grating 19 is used, but a transmissive grating may be used instead. In this case, needless to say, in FIG. 1, the MEMS 20 is arranged on the side opposite to the side where each port exists, with the transmissive grating as a reference.

  The wavelength range of light input from the input port 11, the wavelength range of light input from the insertion port 12, the wavelength range of light output from the output port 13, and the wavelength range of light output from the branch port 14 are as follows. If the wavelength range of the input and output light is not changed, there is no inconvenience even if the state of each micromirror is fixed, so the inclination of the micromirror was once adjusted. After that, there is no need for a mirror driver.

  Next, an optical wavelength router as a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, the wavelength router of this embodiment branches light of wavelengths λ2 and λ4 from the first route 1 through which light including wavelengths of λ1 to λ4 passes to the second route 2, and wavelength of λ1 ′ to λ4 ′. This is an optical wavelength switching device 40 that branches light of wavelengths λ2 ′ and λ4 ′ to the first route 1 from the second route 2 through which light including

  This optical wavelength switching device 40 is a combination of two wavelength routers 10 in the first embodiment. Of the two wavelength routers, the first wavelength router 10 a is incorporated in the first route 1, and the second wavelength router 10 b is incorporated in the second route 2.

  The input port 11a and the output port 13a of the first wavelength router 10a are connected to the first route 1, and the insertion port 12a of the first wavelength router 10a is connected to the second wavelength via an optical path 16 formed of an optical fiber or the like. The branch port 14b of the first wavelength router 10b is connected to the insertion port 12b of the second wavelength router 10b via an optical path 15 formed of an optical fiber or the like. Further, the input port 11 b and the output port 13 b of the second wavelength router 10 b are connected to the second route 2.

  As described above, the present embodiment is a combination of the two wavelength routers 10 in the first embodiment. However, the wavelength router 10 itself in the first embodiment is small in size and low in cost. The optical wavelength switching device 40 can also be reduced in size and cost.

  Next, an optical wavelength router as a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Similarly to the second embodiment, the wavelength router of the present embodiment also transmits light of wavelengths λ2 and λ4 from the first route 1 through which light including wavelengths of λ1 to λ4 passes, as shown in FIG. This is an optical wavelength switching device 10c that branches to the first route 1 from the second route 2 that is branched to the route 2 and through which light including wavelengths λ1 ′ to λ4 ′ passes.

  This optical wavelength switching device 10c is configured to have one wavelength router 10 in the first embodiment. Therefore, this optical wavelength switching device 10c also includes one MEMS 20, one grating 19, and one optical system 30, as shown in FIG. 10, similarly to the wavelength router 10 in the first embodiment. . However, the optical wavelength switching device 10c includes, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11A, in addition to the first input port 11, the first insertion port 12, the first output port 13, and the first branch port 14, A total of eight ports including a second input port 11c, a second insertion port 12c, a second output port 13c, and a second branch port 14c are provided. In this relationship, the microlenses 31 of the optical system 30 are also provided in the same number as these ports.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the first input port 11 and the first output port 13 are connected to the first route 1, and the second input port 11 c and the second output port 13 c are connected to the second route 2. . The first insertion port 12 is connected to the second branch port 14c by an optical path 16 formed of an optical fiber or the like, and the second insertion port 12c is connected to the first branch port 14 by an optical path 15 formed of an optical fiber or the like. Has been.

  For this reason, light including the wavelengths λ1 to λ4 enters the first input port 11 and light including the wavelengths λ1 ′ to λ4 ′ enters the second input port 11c. Similarly to the first embodiment, the light of the wavelengths λ1 to λ4 from the first input port 11 is demultiplexed for each wavelength region by the grating 19, and then the light of the wavelengths λ2 and λ4 is transmitted to the first branch port by the MEMS 20. 14 and enters the second insertion port 12 c through the optical fiber 15 from the first branch port 14. Of the light demultiplexed for each wavelength region by the grating 19, the light of wavelengths λ 1 and λ 3 is directed to the first output port 13 by the MEMS 20, and returns from the first output port 13 to the first route 1.

  The light of the wavelengths λ1 ′ to λ4 ′ from the second input port 11c is demultiplexed for each wavelength region by the grating 19, and the light of the wavelengths λ2 ′ and λ4 ′ is directed to the second branch port 14c by the MEMS 20. The first insertion port 12 is entered from the second branch port 14 c through the optical fiber 16. The light of the wavelengths λ2 ′ and λ4 ′ from the first insertion port 12 is directed to the first output port 13 by the MEMS 20, and the first route is transmitted from the first output port 13 together with the light of the wavelengths λ1 and λ3 described above. 1 is incident. Among the wavelengths λ1 ′ to λ4 ′ from the second input port 11c, the light of the wavelengths λ1 ′ and λ3 ′ is directed to the second output port 13c by the MEMS 20, and is routed from the second output port 13c to the second route 2. Return. Light of wavelengths λ2 and λ4 from the second insertion port 12c is directed to the second output port 13c by the MEMS 20, and enters the second route 2 from the second output port 13c together with light of the wavelengths λ1 ′ and λ3 ′. To do.

  As described above, the MEMS 20, the grating 19, and the optical system 30 of the optical wavelength switching device 10 c according to the present embodiment perform input / output processing of each wavelength region λ1 to λ4 for the first route 1 and each wavelength region for the second route 2. Input / output processing of λ1 ′ to λ4 ′ is performed. In other words, in the present embodiment, a configuration for performing input / output processing of each wavelength region λ1 to λ4 with respect to the first route 1 and an input / output processing of each wavelength region λ1 ′ to λ4 ′ with respect to the second route 2 are performed. We are trying to share the configuration. As described above, in order to perform input / output processing of light of two systems 1 and 2 with one MEMS 20, one grating 19, and one optical system 30, the arrangement of each port and the like is extremely important.

  Therefore, the arrangement of each port and the like in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The first input port 11, the first insertion port 12, the second output port 13c, and the second branch port 14c are arranged in this order in the −X direction (direction perpendicular to the direction in which the groove of the grating 19 extends). Are lined up. The second input port 11c, the second insertion port 12c, the first output port 13, and the first branch port 14 are also arranged in this order in a row in the −X direction. Further, the second input port 11c is arranged in the -Y direction with respect to the first input port 11, the second insertion port 12c is arranged in the -Y direction with respect to the first insertion port 12, and the second output port The first output port 13 is arranged in the −Y direction with respect to 13c, and the first branch port 14 is arranged in the −Y direction with respect to the second branch port 14c.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the ports are arranged two-dimensionally in the XY plane. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11B, the ports 10, 11, 12, 13 are arranged in a line in the X direction. Further, the micromirror array 25 is arranged at the same position as the optical axis of each port at the position in the Y direction. However, in the present embodiment, as described above, the first input port 11 and the first insertion port 12 are arranged in a line in the X direction. On the other hand, the first output port 13 and the first branch port 14 are arranged. Is displaced in the Y direction. Similarly, the second input port 11c and the second insertion port 12c are arranged in a row in the X direction, but the second output port 13c and the second branch port 14c are shifted in the Y direction.

  In this embodiment, with respect to such an arrangement of each port, in the present embodiment, the microlens 31 having almost no two-dimensional expansion with respect to the optical system 30 is arranged for each port, and other optical components constituting the optical system 30 are provided. As for the lenses 32 and 33, as shown in FIG. 10B, the optical axis C of each lens 32 and 33 is positioned between the first input port 11 and the second input port 11c at the position in the Y direction. ing. At the same time, the grating 19 and the micromirror array 25 are also arranged in the middle of the optical axis of the first input port 11 and the optical axis of the second input port 11c at the position in the Y direction. In particular, in the micromirror array 25 in which a plurality of micromirrors are arranged in a line in the X direction, in the position in the Y direction, in other words, between the optical axis of the first input port 11 and the optical axis of the second input port 11c. And the optical axis of the first input port 11 and the optical axis of the first output port 13, the light from the first input port 11 is transmitted to the first input port 11 with respect to Y. It can be directed to the first output port 13 that is displaced in the direction.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the optical wavelength switching device 10c is configured by using one wavelength router 10 in the first embodiment, and therefore, more than the optical wavelength switching device 40 in the second embodiment. Therefore, size reduction and cost reduction can be achieved.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the optical wavelength branching / insertion apparatus as 1st embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is an optical path diagram of the optical wavelength branching / inserting device as the first embodiment according to the present invention, and is an optical path diagram of light from the input port when all the micromirrors are in the first tilt state. It is an optical path diagram of the optical wavelength branching / inserting device as the first embodiment according to the present invention, and is an optical path diagram of light from the insertion port when some of the micromirrors are in the second tilt state. In the optical path diagram of the optical wavelength branching / inserting device as the first embodiment according to the present invention, the light from the input port when some of the micromirrors are in the first tilt state and the remaining micromirrors are in the second tilt state FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the inclination of a micromirror and the positional relationship of each port as 1st embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the inclination of each micromirror which comprises the micromirror array as 1st embodiment which concerns on this invention, and the optical path of the light for every wavelength range, Comprising: The same figure (a) is all micro. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing the optical path of light from the input port when the mirror is in the first tilt state. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating the light from the insertion port when some of the micromirrors are in the second tilt state. It is explanatory drawing which shows an optical path. It is explanatory drawing which shows the inclination of each micromirror which comprises the micromirror array as 1st embodiment which concerns on this invention, and the optical path of the light for each wavelength range, Comprising: FIG. 4D is an explanatory diagram showing the optical path of light from the input port when the micromirror is in the second tilt state. FIG. 4D shows a part of the micromirrors in the first tilt state and the remaining micromirrors in the second tilt state. It is explanatory drawing which shows the optical path of the light from an input port and an insertion port in the state. It is explanatory drawing which shows the route | root of the light of each wavelength range of an optical wavelength switching apparatus as 2nd embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the route | root of the light of each wavelength range of the optical wavelength switching apparatus as 3rd embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the optical wavelength switching apparatus as 3rd embodiment which concerns on this invention, Comprising: The figure (a) is a top view, The figure (b) is a side view. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of each port and the micromirror array, FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of each port and the micromirror array of the apparatus as the third embodiment, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of each port and micromirror array of the apparatus as one Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the route | root of the light of each wavelength range of an optical add / drop device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the route | root of the light of each wavelength range of an optical wavelength switching apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1: first route, 2: second route, 10: optical add / drop device, 10a: first wavelength router, 10b: second wavelength router, 11, 11a, 11b: input port, 12, 12a, 12b: output Ports 13, 13a, 13b: Insertion ports, 14, 14a, 14b: Branch ports, 11c: Second input ports, 12c: Second insertion ports, 13c: Second output ports, 14c: Second branch ports, 19: Grating, 20: MEMS, 25: Micromirror array, 26: Mirror driver, 30: Optical system.

Claims (12)

Among the light including one or more wavelengths, in the optical wavelength router that determines the output destination of the light in the desired wavelength range,
First and second input ports;
1 has a demultiplexing effect of demultiplexing light into a plurality of wavelength regions and a multiplexing effect of multiplexing light in a plurality of wavelength regions, and is irradiated with light from the first and second input ports. Two multiplexing / demultiplexing elements,
A plurality of mirrors arranged in a row, and the light from the first and second input ports, which is demultiplexed for each of a plurality of wavelength ranges by the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, is reflected by each mirror for each wavelength range. A mirror element for directing light in each wavelength region to the multiplexing / demultiplexing element;
First and second output ports through which light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the mirror element is incident;
Light from the first and second input ports is condensed on the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element, and light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the mirror elements is output to the first and second output ports. An optical system that focuses light on
Mirror driving means for changing the orientation of each of the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element;
An optical wavelength router comprising: The optical wavelength router according to claim 1,
The mirror driving means can switch each of the mirrors of the mirror element between a first tilt state and a second tilt state,
In the first tilt state, the plurality of mirrors direct light passing through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the first input port to the first output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, The light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the second input port is not directed to any output port,
In the second tilt state, the plurality of mirrors direct light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the first input port to the second output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, Directing light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the second input port to the first output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element;
An optical wavelength router characterized by that. The optical wavelength router according to claim 1,
The mirror driving means can switch each of the mirrors of the mirror element between a first tilt state and a second tilt state,
The mirror in the second tilt state is tilted by an angle + ε with respect to the mirror in the first tilt state, and the light from the first input port is at an angle − with respect to the normal of the mirror in the first tilt state− When entering the mirror at θ,
The second input port is disposed at a position where light from the second input port is incident at an angle − (θ−2ε) with respect to the normal of the mirror in the first tilt state.
The first output port is disposed at a position where the first output port is incident on the mirror at an angle + θ with respect to the normal of the mirror in the first tilt state when the light from the first output port is output;
When the second output port outputs light from the second output port, the second output port is incident on the mirror at an angle + (θ + 2ε) with respect to the normal of the mirror in the first tilt state. Arranged,
An optical wavelength router characterized by that. Among the light including one or more wavelengths, in the optical wavelength router that determines the output destination of the light in the desired wavelength range,
First and second input ports;
1 has a demultiplexing effect of demultiplexing light into a plurality of wavelength regions and a multiplexing effect of multiplexing light in a plurality of wavelength regions, and is irradiated with light from the first and second input ports. Two multiplexing / demultiplexing elements,
A plurality of mirrors arranged in a row, and the light from the first and second input ports, which is demultiplexed for each of a plurality of wavelength ranges by the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, is reflected by each mirror for each wavelength range. A mirror element for directing light in each wavelength region to the multiplexing / demultiplexing element;
First and second output ports through which light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the mirror element is incident;
Light from the first and second input ports is condensed on the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element, and light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the plurality of mirrors is applied to the first and second output ports. A condensing optical system;
With
The specific mirror and the remaining mirrors among the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element have different directions.
The specific mirror of the mirror element directs light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the first input port to the first output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, and The light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the input port is not directed to any output port,
The remaining mirror of the mirror element directs light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the first input port to the second output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, and Directing light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from an input port to the first output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element;
An optical wavelength router characterized by that. In the optical wavelength router according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The multiplexing / demultiplexing element is a grating in which a plurality of grooves are formed in parallel to each other,
The plurality of mirrors of the mirror element are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the groove of the grating extends,
The second input port with respect to the first input port and the second output port with respect to the first output port are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the groove of the grating extends. Out,
An optical wavelength router characterized by that. An optical wavelength router according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The second output port forms a branching port that branches light in any one of a plurality of wavelength ranges from the first input port,
The second input port forms an insertion port for inserting light of a desired wavelength range to be inserted into light from the first input port.
An optical wavelength branching / inserting device characterized by that. Two optical wavelength routers according to any one of claims 1 to 5 are provided,
Of the two optical wavelength routers, the second output port of the first optical wavelength router serves as the first branch port, and the second input port of the second optical wavelength router as the second insertion port. The light from the second output port of the first optical wavelength router is incident on the second input port of the second optical wavelength router;
The second output port of the second optical wavelength router is connected to the second input port of the first optical wavelength router as the first insertion port as the second branch port, Light from the second output port of the first optical wavelength router is incident on the second input port of the first optical wavelength router;
An optical wavelength switching device characterized by that. An optical wavelength router according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Third and fourth input ports for emitting light to the mirror element via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element;
Third and fourth output ports into which light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the mirror element is incident;
With
The second output port is connected to the fourth input port as a second insertion port as a first branch port, and light from the second output port is connected to the fourth input port. Incident,
The fourth output port is connected to the second input port as a first insertion port as a second branch port, and light from the fourth output port is connected to the second input port. Incident,
An optical wavelength switching device characterized by that. The optical wavelength switching device according to claim 8,
The multiplexing / demultiplexing element is a grating in which a plurality of grooves are formed in parallel to each other,
The plurality of mirrors of the mirror element are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the groove of the grating extends,
The second input port, the third output port, and the fourth output port are aligned with respect to the first input port in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the groove of the grating extends, and The fourth input port, the first output port, and the second output port with respect to the three input ports are also arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the groove of the grating extends,
The third input port with respect to the first input port and the third output port with respect to the first output port are arranged in a direction in which the groove of the grating extends,
An optical wavelength switching device characterized by that. The optical wavelength switching device according to claim 9, wherein
The mirror element is disposed at a position in a direction in which the groove of the grating extends and is intermediate between the optical axis of the first input port and the optical axis of the third input port. ,
An optical wavelength switching device characterized by that. In the control method of the optical wavelength router that determines the output destination of the light in the desired wavelength region among the light including one or more wavelengths,
The optical wavelength router is:
First and second input ports;
1 has a demultiplexing effect of demultiplexing light into a plurality of wavelength regions and a multiplexing effect of multiplexing light in a plurality of wavelength regions, and is irradiated with light from the first and second input ports. Two multiplexing / demultiplexing elements,
A plurality of mirrors arranged in a row, and the light from the first and second input ports, which is demultiplexed for each of a plurality of wavelength ranges by the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, is reflected by each mirror for each wavelength range. A mirror element for directing light in each wavelength region to the multiplexing / demultiplexing element;
First and second output ports through which light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the mirror element is incident;
Light from the first and second input ports is condensed on the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element, and light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the plurality of mirrors is applied to the first and second output ports. A condensing optical system;
Mirror driving means for changing the orientation of each of the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element;
With
By the mirror driving means, a specific mirror among the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element is set to a first tilt state, and the remaining mirrors are set to a second tilt state,
In the first tilt state, the specific mirror of the mirror element causes the light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the first input port to pass through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element to the first output port. The light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the second input port is not directed to any output port,
In the second tilt state, the remaining mirror of the mirror element transmits light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the first input port to the second output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element. Directing the light that has passed through the multiplexing / demultiplexing element from the second input port to the first output port via the multiplexing / demultiplexing element,
A method for controlling an optical wavelength router. In the control method of the optical wavelength router that determines the output destination of the light in the desired wavelength region among the light including one or more wavelengths,
The optical wavelength router is:
First and second input ports;
1 has a demultiplexing effect of demultiplexing light into a plurality of wavelength regions and a multiplexing effect of multiplexing light in a plurality of wavelength regions, and is irradiated with light from the first and second input ports. Two multiplexing / demultiplexing elements,
A plurality of mirrors arranged in a row, and the light from the first and second input ports, which is demultiplexed for each of a plurality of wavelength ranges by the multiplexing / demultiplexing element, is reflected by each mirror for each wavelength range. A mirror element for directing light in each wavelength region to the multiplexing / demultiplexing element;
First and second output ports through which light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the mirror element is incident;
Light from the first and second input ports is condensed on the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element, and light from the multiplexing / demultiplexing element that has passed through the plurality of mirrors is applied to the first and second output ports. A condensing optical system;
Mirror driving means for changing the orientation of each of the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element;
With
The mirror driving means sets a specific mirror among the plurality of mirrors of the mirror element to a first tilt state, and sets the remaining mirrors to a second tilt state,
With respect to the normal of the mirror in the first tilt state, light from the first input port is incident on the mirror at an angle −θ, and light from the second input port is at an angle −φ. When entering the mirror,
The mirror driving means tilts the mirror in the first tilt state by an angle + (φ−θ) / 2 to bring the mirror into the second tilt state;
A method for controlling an optical wavelength router.