JP2005134788A - Optical switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical switch which is applied to an optical switch for switching optical paths, relaxes conventional stringent requirements of an optical element and a driving device in the accuracy of machining, positioning and angle, and has low loss and high yield. <P>SOLUTION: The optical switch is formed with a fixed reflection element for varying the angle of the optical path and a movable optical path parallel move element having at least a pair of parallel surfaces for moving the optical path in parallel toward the fixed reflection element, and the optical path is switched by moving the movable optical path parallel move element in and out the optical path by parallel moving or rotationally moving the element by a driving means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is applied to an optical switch for switching an optical path, and enables drastic reduction of accuracy with respect to strict processing accuracy and positioning and angle requirements of conventional optical elements and driving devices. The present invention relates to a high-yield optical switch with low cost and low loss.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the conventional optical switch, an input collimator 17 'and an output collimator 18' are respectively arranged on a base 7 ', and a drive solenoid 5' installed at each intersection is moved up and down to be used as a drive device. An optical switch operation is performed by putting the connected movable reflecting mirror 9 'into and out of the intersection of the input optical path and the output optical path (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1). The drawback of such a conventional optical switch is that, as is apparent from the drawing, in order to move the reflecting element such as the movable reflecting mirror 9 ', not only extremely strict processing accuracy is required, but also in positioning and angle determination. There was a drawback that strict accuracy was required. In order to solve this problem, we have invented a structure in which a reflective element that has been movable in the past is fixed, an optical path moving element that is loose in positioning and angle is movable, and driven in the vertical direction. It has become possible to solve the problems of the prior art. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2). In the optical switch 1 of the present invention, by previously inventing the structure in which the reflection element, which has been movable in the past, is fixed, the optical path moving element whose positioning and angle accuracy is loose is movable, and driven in the vertical direction. The problems of the prior art can be solved, but the present invention is improved by performing parallel movement and rotational movement as the driving method of the above patent, and 1 × Application development has been made with an N optical switch or an M × N optical matrix switch.

Naoki Yamamoto and two others, “Prototype of 10 × 10 matrix optical switch” IEICE Transactions '81 / 12 VOLJ64-C NO12. P819-826 Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-287166

  The problem to be solved requires not only extremely strict processing accuracy but also extremely strict accuracy in positioning and angle determination in order to move the reflecting element such as the movable reflecting mirror 9 'as shown in FIG. It is a point. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an optical switch that can remarkably reduce accuracy in processing accuracy, positioning and angle determination of an optical element and a driving device.

The present invention has been intensively studied to solve these problems,
First, a fixed reflecting element for changing the angle of the optical path and a movable optical path moving element having at least one pair of parallel planes for translating the optical path to the fixed reflecting element are formed, An optical switch characterized in that the optical path is switched by moving the movable optical path moving element in parallel or rotationally by a driving means and taking it in and out of the optical path.
Secondly, a fixed reflecting element for changing the angle of the optical path, a movable first optical path moving element having at least one set of parallel planes for translating the optical path to the fixed reflecting element, and the movable A movable second optical path moving element having at least one pair of parallel planes that are translated by the first optical path moving element and that translate the optical path bent by the fixed reflective element to a position different from the reflection point of the fixed reflective element. Each of the movable first and second optical path moving elements is translated or rotationally moved by a driving means, and the optical path is switched by taking it in and out of the optical path,
Thirdly, in the first or second structure, the height of the light input to the movable optical path moving element unit composed of one or more movable first optical path moving elements is the same as the height of the output light. so,
As the fourth, in the second or third, the drive device of the movable first and second optical path moving elements is integrated into one common drive device,
As a fifth, in any one of the first to fourth, the fixed reflective element is arranged so that the angle of the optical path bends at right angles,
Sixthly, in any one of the first to fifth, the optical switches N are arranged in one row to form a 1 × N optical switch,
Seventhly, in any one of the first to fifth, the optical switches (M × N) are arranged in a matrix of M × N to form an M × N optical matrix switch,

    To provide a high-yield optical switch with low cost and low loss as a result, which can greatly reduce the accuracy of the strict processing accuracy and positioning and angle requirements of conventional optical elements and driving devices. Is possible.

  Embodiments of the optical switch 1 of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Conventionally, a reflective element whose positioning and angle accuracy is severe is made movable, but the present invention is a switch in which the reflecting element is fixed and an optical path moving element whose positioning and angle accuracy is loose is moved in parallel or rotationally. And a 1 × N optical switch or an M × N optical matrix switch using many of the switches.

First, although the drawing of the first example of the first embodiment of the present invention is omitted, the first embodiment of the present invention has a configuration excluding the movable second optical path moving prism 3B in FIG. A reflection element having a strict accuracy in angle, and a movable optical path movement element having a low positioning and angle accuracy, in a state where light travels straight when the optical path movement element is not on the optical path, and the movable optical path movement element When the light is inserted into the optical path, the light is translated along the optical path by the optical path moving element, passed through the fixed reflecting element, and switched in two ways to change the angle. It is an optical switch. As described above, when there is no need to change the position of the optical path from the reflection point of the fixed reflecting mirror 4, the movable second optical path moving prism 3B may be omitted. As the driving method, vertical translation as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), lateral translation as shown in FIGS. 1 (c) and 1 (d), or FIG. 1 (e). , (F) may be any of the rotational movements.
A second example of the optical switch 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. FIG. 1A shows a state in which the optical path 2 has passed through the prism 3A and the mirror 4, and FIG. 1B shows an explanatory diagram in a state in which the optical path 2 has traveled straight without passing through the prism 3A and the mirror 4. The optical switch 1A according to the present invention is driven by a movable optical path moving prism 3A that translates the optical path, a fixed reflection mirror 4 that bends the optical path at a right angle, a drive solenoid 5 that moves the movable optical path movement prism 3A, and a movable optical path movement prism 3A. The shaft 8 that transmits the power of the solenoid 5 and the base 7 on which the fixed reflecting mirror 4 is fixed are configured. However, the surface of the movable optical path moving prism 3A through which light is input and output is provided with an antireflection film 10. With this configuration, the optical path 2 is translated by the movable optical path moving prism 3A, input to the fixed reflecting mirror 4, and after changing the angle, is input again to the movable optical path moving prism 3A, so that the movable optical path moving prism is The optical path is translated by 3A and output. As described above, the position of the optical path can be changed from the reflection point of the fixed reflection mirror 4 by one movable optical path moving prism 3A. As for the driving direction, as in the above embodiment, any of vertical translation, horizontal translation, or rotational movement may be used.

As a second embodiment, FIG. 2 (a) shows a state in which the optical path 2 has passed through the prism 3 and mirror 4, and FIG. 2 (a) is an explanatory diagram in a state in which the optical path 2 has traveled straight without passing through the prism 3 and mirror 4. B) As is apparent from the figure, the optical switch 1 of the present invention includes a movable first optical path moving prism 3A that translates the optical path, a movable second optical path prism 3B that translates the optical path, and a fixed that bends the optical path at a right angle. The reflecting mirror 4, the movable unit 6 that integrally fixes the movable first and second optical path moving prisms 3A and 3B, a drive solenoid 5 that moves the movable unit 6, and the power of the drive solenoid 5 to the movable unit 6 And a base 7 on which the fixed reflecting mirror 4 is fixed.
With this configuration, the optical path 2 is translated by the movable first optical path moving prism 3A, input to the fixed reflecting mirror 4, and after changing its direction to a right angle, is input to the movable second optical path moving prism 3B. By the movable second optical path moving prism 3B, it is translated and output to the original height when input to the movable first optical path moving prism 3A. At this time, the height at which the optical path from the fixed reflecting mirror 4 is translated by the movable second prism 3B does not necessarily have to be the original height when input to the movable first optical path moving prism 3A. As for the driving direction, as in the above embodiment, any of vertical translation, horizontal translation, or rotational movement may be used.

  As a third embodiment, in the second embodiment, the height of the optical path that has passed through the fixed reflecting element and changed the angle is the same as the height of the light input to the movable first prism by the movable second prism. Since the structure moves parallel to the height, the height of light input to the switch is the same as the height of light output from the switch.

  In the fourth embodiment, the movable first and second prism driving devices in the second or third embodiment are integrated into one common driving device. To switch between the bent optical path and the straight optical path, the movable first and second optical path moving prisms 3A and 3B are fixedly integrated with the movable unit 6, and the power of the driving device 5 is moved by the shaft 8. This is done by moving the movable unit 6 by transmitting to the type unit 6. As described above, the structure integrated with one common driving device showed a preferable result. From the viewpoint of design, the movable first and second optical path moving prisms 3A and 3B are independent from each other. A driving device may be used. In this embodiment, a solenoid is used as the driving device, but a driving device such as a motor may be used.

  As a fifth embodiment, in the optical switch according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the fixed reflection element is arranged so that the angle of the optical path is bent at a right angle by the fixed reflection element. Thus, a right angle is preferable, but it is not always necessary to have a right angle.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the sixth embodiment has a structure using a movable first optical path moving prism 3A. In this structure, N optical switches according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments are arranged in a line to form a 1 × N optical switch. Light is output from one input collimator 17 along N switches arranged in a row, bent by a switch inserted in the optical path, and output to a predetermined output collimator in the N output collimators 18. Is done. At this time, the movable second optical path moving prism 3B that translates the light reflected by the fixed mirror 4 is not necessary. Further, using a state in which all N switches are not inserted in the optical path, N switches may be used as a 1 × (N + 1) optical switch.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the seventh embodiment has a structure using movable first and second optical path moving prisms 3A and 3B. The optical switch (M × N) of any one of the second to fifth embodiments is arranged in an M × N matrix of M rows and N columns, thereby forming an M × N optical matrix switch. Light is output from M input collimators 17 corresponding to the M rows in a row along the switches arranged in the M rows, bent by the switches inserted in the optical path, and arranged in columns in the N columns. Are output to predetermined output collimators among the N output collimators 18 corresponding to the switches. At this time, the light is output to the output collimator 18 without passing through the adjacent fixed mirror by the movable second prism 3B that translates the light reflected by the fixed mirror 4. Further, M counter collimators facing the M input collimators may be added. Similarly, M counter collimators facing the N output collimators may be added.

  In the embodiments of the present invention, the fixed reflection mirror and the optical path moving prism have been described as typical examples. However, the fixed reflection mirror 4 does not necessarily need to be a mirror. For example, the angle of the optical path is changed like a pentaprism. Anything can be used. In addition, the movable first and second optical path moving prisms 3A and 3B are not necessarily prisms. For example, the optical paths are parallel to each other, such as two mirrors that face each other in parallel and move in parallel. It does not matter as long as it moves. In addition, although the method of placing the prism has been described as being placed vertically, it may be placed horizontally. Thus, it goes without saying that the present invention includes various modifications.

  Used in an optical switch used for switching the optical path, it can greatly reduce the accuracy with respect to the conventional strict accuracy requirements.

(A) is explanatory drawing of the state which the optical path 2 passed the prism 3A and the mirror 4 in the 2nd example of the optical switch 1A of 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of a second example of the optical switch 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a state where the optical path 2 goes straight without passing through the prism 3 or the mirror 4. (A) is explanatory drawing of the state which the optical path 2 passed the prism 3 or the mirror 4 by the optical switch 1B of 2nd Example of this invention. FIG. 2B is an explanatory view of the optical switch 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention in a state where the optical path 2 goes straight without passing through the prism 3 or the mirror 4. FIG. 2 (c) is a plan view of a second embodiment of the optical switch 1 according to the present invention, in which the switch is translated horizontally and the optical path 2 passes through the prism 3 and the mirror 4. FIG. FIG. 2 (d) is a plan view of a second embodiment of the optical switch 1 of the present invention in a state where the switch has moved sideways and the optical path 2 has traveled straight without passing through the prism 3 or the mirror 4. FIG. FIG. 2E is a plan view of a second embodiment of the optical switch 1 according to the present invention, in which the switch rotates and the optical path 2 passes through the prism 3 and the mirror 4. FIG. 2F is a plan view of a second embodiment of the optical switch 1 according to the present invention, in which the switch rotates and the optical path 2 goes straight without passing through the prism 3 or the mirror 4. In the optical switch 1F according to the sixth embodiment in which N optical switches according to the present invention are arranged in a row to form a 1 × N optical switch, light from the input collimator 17 is coupled to a predetermined output collimator 18 by the switch. It is a perspective view. In the optical switch 1G of the seventh embodiment in which the optical switches (M × N) of the present invention are arranged in a matrix of M × N, the light from each input collimator 17 It is explanatory drawing of the state couple | bonded with the predetermined output collimator 18 by a switch. In the Example of conventional optical switch 1 ', optical path 2' is explanatory drawing of the state which passed movable reflecting mirror 9 '.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B, 1F, 1G Optical switch 2 of the present invention Optical path 3A Movable first optical path moving prism 3B Movable second optical path moving prism 4 Fixed reflecting mirror 5 Drive solenoid 6 Movable unit 7 Base 8 Shaft 10 Antireflection film 11 Present invention Optical switch element 17 Input collimator 18 Output collimator 1 'Conventional optical switch 2' Optical path 5 'Drive solenoid 7' Base 8 'Shaft 9' Movable reflection mirror
17 ′ input collimator
18 ′ output collimator

Claims (7)

  A fixed reflecting element for changing the angle of the optical path and a movable optical path moving element having at least one pair of parallel planes for translating the optical path to the fixed reflecting element are formed, and the movable optical path moving element is driven. An optical switch characterized in that the optical path is switched by moving it in parallel or rotating by means and taking it in and out of the optical path.   A fixed reflecting element for changing the angle of the optical path, a movable first optical path moving element having at least one set of parallel planes for translating the optical path to the fixed reflecting element, and the movable first optical path moving element A movable second optical path moving element having at least one pair of parallel planes that translates and translates an optical path bent by the fixed reflective element to a position different from a reflection point of the fixed reflective element, and An optical switch characterized in that the optical path is switched by moving the movable first and second optical path moving elements in parallel or rotationally by a driving means and putting them in and out of the optical path.   The height of the light input to the movable optical path moving element unit including one or more movable first optical path moving elements is the same as the height of the output light according to claim 1 or 2. Light switch.   4. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein the driving device for the movable first and second optical path moving elements is integrated into one common driving device.   5. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein the fixed reflection element is arranged so that an angle of an optical path bends at a right angle.   6. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein the N optical switches are arranged in a line to form a 1 * N optical switch.   6. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein the optical switches (M.times.N) are arranged in an M.times.N matrix to form an M.times.N optical matrix switch. .

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