KR20050102391A - Mems type optical switch with w-type micromirror - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a device packaging such as electrode connection without an offset error of an optical signal according to the thickness of the micromirror in a MEMS type optical switch operated by driving a micromirror to block or change an input / output optical signal in a wavelength division multiplexer. MEMS optical switch structure provided with this easy double-type micromirror.

According to the present invention, the first optical waveguide pair 10 and 20 and the second optical waveguide pair 15 and 25 are configured at one side, and the optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide 10 of the first optical waveguide pair is formed at the other side. The first fixed micromirror 31 and the second fixed micromirror 32 fixed to be incident on the output optical waveguide 25 of the two optical waveguide pairs, and the input optical waveguide 15 of the second optical waveguide pair A third fixed micromirror 33 fixed to be output such that the emitted optical signal is incident on the output optical waveguide 20 of the first optical waveguide pair, and the optical signal input from the input optical waveguide 10 of the first optical waveguide pair An optical signal emitted from the first flow micromirror 41 and an optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide 15 of the second optical waveguide pair are flowed such that an arc is incident on the output optical waveguide 20 of the first optical waveguide pair. Including a second flow micromirror 42 which flows to be incident on the output optical waveguide 25 of the optical waveguide pair. It is characterized.

Description

MEMS type optical switch structure with double type micromirror {MEMS TYPE OPTICAL SWITCH WITH W-TYPE MICROMIRROR}

The present invention relates to a MEMS type optical switch, and more particularly, to an optical signal according to a thickness of the micro mirror in a MEMS type optical switch operated by driving a micromirror to block or change an input / output optical signal in a wavelength division multiplexer. The present invention relates to a MEMS type optical switch structure having a double-type micromirror that is easy to package a device such as an electrode connection without offset error.

Wavelength Division Multiplexing is a method of simultaneously transmitting a plurality of channels using light of different wavelengths in a communication using an optical waveguide. In this case, two kinds of optical wavelength ranges of 1.3um and 1.55um are used. A device for implementing the wavelength division multiplexing method is called a wavelength division multiplexer, and functions as an optical coupler.

In this case, when an optical add / drop multiplexer is used as the wavelength division multiplexer, MEMS (MEMS; Micro Electro Mechanical) is used to mechanically drive an optical device such as a mirror to block or change an optical path through which light travels. System (optical switch or device made by such a process technology) for moving a structure installed on a substrate with a micro-mechanical system is widely used.

The MEMS type optical switch is disclosed in US Patent No. 6,315,462 by Oliver Anthamatten and one other person, and many studies have been made due to the advantages of low insertion loss, crosstalk, polarization, and wavelength dependent loss. ought.

The MEMS type optical switch is basically divided into a unit channel and a multi channel optical switch such as a 1 x 2 configuration and a 2 x 2 configuration, and in the configuration of the optical switch, a conductor material is manufactured in the form of a waveguide and used as a light transmission path. It is an optical waveguide.

The main method of the optical switch is to move the mirror to change the direction of light. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, four optical waveguides 12 facing each other in pairs in an X-shape on a plane and half of 45 degrees. It consists of one micromirror 40 which has a slope, and the actuator 50 which drives the said micromirror 40. As shown in FIG. At this time, only one light path is shown for convenience, and the other light proceeds and reflects on the same principle as the light path. On the other hand, when the micromirror 40 exits the light path as shown in FIG. 3B, since the light does not meet the micromirror 40, the micromirror 40 enters the optical waveguide opposite to the light guide. That is, the micromirror 40 enters or removes the path of light to change the direction of light.

However, in the MEMS type optical switch as shown in FIG. 5, the light emitted from the optical waveguide 12 is reflected by the micromirror 40, and the optical axis has a predetermined ratio d of the thickness of the micromirror 40. There is a problem that an offset error that occurs from the.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to eliminate offset errors that are reflected by the micromirror and deviate from the optical axis of the output optical waveguide, and are easy to be arrayed or matrixed and To provide a MEMS type optical switch structure equipped with a double type micromirror for easy packaging.

The present invention provides a micromirror for converting a path of an optical signal on an optical path between the input and output optical waveguides and a pair of optical waveguide pairs and the input and output optical waveguides. In a MEMS type optical switch structure including an actuator for driving a mirror, a first optical waveguide pair 10 and 20 and a second optical waveguide pair 15 and 25 are arranged side by side on one side and the first side on the other side. A first fixed micromirror 31 and a second fixed micromirror 32 fixedly installed such that an optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide 10 of the optical waveguide pair is incident on the output optical waveguide 25 of the second optical waveguide pair And a third fixed micromirror 33 fixedly installed so that the optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide 15 of the second optical waveguide pair is incident on the output optical waveguide 20 of the first optical waveguide pair, Input of the first optical waveguide pair A first flow micromirror 41 in which the optical signal input from the optical waveguide 10 is incident on the output optical waveguide 20 of the first optical waveguide pair, and the input optical waveguide 15 of the second optical waveguide pair It is characterized in that it comprises a second flow micromirror (42) which flows so that the optical signal emitted from the) is incident on the output optical waveguide 25 of the second optical waveguide pair.

Also preferably, the first fixed micromirror is fixed such that an emission angle is 45 degrees with respect to the input optical waveguide 10 of the first optical waveguide pair, and the second fixed micromirror is symmetrical with the first fixed micromirror. And the third fixed micromirror is bent and fixed to equilibrate with the first fixed micromirror and the second fixed micromirror, respectively, and the first flow micromirror is symmetrical with the first fixed micromirror, and The second flow micromirror is formed to be symmetrical with the first flow micromirror.

Meanwhile, the first optical waveguide pair and the second optical waveguide pair are configured in plural.

In addition, ends of the waveguides of the first and second optical waveguide pairs are formed to be inclined, or end portions of the waveguides of the first and second optical waveguide pairs are thermally expanded, or the first light Ends of the waveguide pair and the second optical waveguide pair may be formed in a lens shape.

On the other hand, the present invention is a pair of input and output optical waveguides and a pair of the plurality of optical waveguide pairs, and a micromirror for converting the path of the optical signal on the optical path between the input and output optical waveguide, In the MEMS type optical switch structure including an actuator for driving the micromirror, the first optical waveguide pair and the second optical waveguide pair are arranged side by side on one side, and the input optical waveguide of the first optical waveguide pair is formed on the other side. An inclined surface protrudes from the output optical waveguides of the first optical waveguide pair, and an end thereof is formed such that the output optical waveguide optical signal of the second optical waveguide pair is reflected, and the output optical waveguides of the second optical waveguide pair of the second optical waveguide pair An inclined surface protruding from the output optical waveguide and having an end thereof so as to receive an optical signal through the input optical waveguide of the first optical waveguide pair, and the second optical waveguide pair A third fixed micromirror fixed to the optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide to be incident on the output optical waveguide of the first optical waveguide pair, and the optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide of the first optical waveguide pair to the first optical waveguide A first flow micromirror flowing to be incident to the output optical waveguides of the waveguide pair, and a second flow of the optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguides of the second optical waveguide pair to be incident on the output optical waveguides of the second optical waveguide pair It is characterized by including a flow micromirror.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the MEMS type optical switch structure provided with a double-type micromirror of the present invention. In the reference numerals to the components of the drawings, the same components, even if shown on the other drawings are to have the same reference numerals as possible, it is known that it may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention Detailed description of functions and configurations will be omitted.

1 is a schematic structural diagram of a MEMS type optical switch equipped with a double type micromirror according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a MEMS type optical switch equipped with a double type micromirror according to an embodiment of the present invention. Is a schematic structural diagram after the micromirror is operated.

MEMS type optical switch structure with a double type micromirror according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is as shown in Figures 1 and 2, based on the micromirrors (31, 32, 33, 41, 42) In other words, the first optical waveguide pairs 10 and 20 of the input and output optical waveguides on one side and the second optical waveguide pairs 15 of the input and output optical waveguides parallel to the first optical waveguide pairs 10 and 20. , 25) consists of basic units. In addition, a first fixed micromirror fixed to the other side so that the optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide 10 of the first optical waveguide pair 10 and 20 is incident on the output optical waveguide 25 of the second optical waveguide pair. (31) and the second fixed micromirror 32 and the optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide 15 of the second optical waveguide pair is fixedly installed to be incident on the output optical waveguide 20 of the first optical waveguide pair The first fixed micromirror 33 and the first flow flows so that the optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide 10 of the first optical waveguide pair is incident on the output optical waveguide 20 of the first optical waveguide pair A second optical microfluidic beam 41 and a second optical wave that is output from the input optical waveguide 15 of the second optical waveguide pair 15 and 25 to be incident on the output optical waveguide 25 of the second optical waveguide pair And a flow micromirror 42.

At this time, the first fixed micromirror 31 is fixed to have an incident angle of 45 degrees with respect to the input optical waveguide 10 of the first optical waveguide pair 10 and 20, and the second fixed micromirror 32 is The first fixed micromirror 31 is symmetrically fixed, and the third fixed micromirror 33 is bent and fixed to balance with the first fixed micromirror 31 and the second fixed micromirror 32, respectively. The first flow micromirror 41 is symmetrical with the first fixed micromirror 31, and the second flow micromirror 42 is formed to be symmetrical with the first flow micromirror 31. desirable. In other words, the first fixed micromirror 31 and the second fixed micromirror 32 such that an optical signal is incident on the input optical waveguide 10 of the first optical waveguide pair and the output optical waveguide 25 of the second optical waveguide pair. Is fixed and installed. Meanwhile, the first flow micromirror 41 and the second flow micromirror 42 are formed to be symmetrical with the first fixed micromirror 31 and the second fixed micromirror 32, respectively.

3A and 3B are schematic structural diagrams of a MEMS type optical switch equipped with a double type micromirror according to another embodiment of the present invention. That is, the ends of the waveguides of the first optical waveguide pair and the second optical waveguide pair are inclined to reduce the optical loss. In other words, the inclined surface 35 inclined at 45 degrees is formed at the ends of the input optical waveguides 12 of the first optical waveguide pair, and the emitted light reflected from the inclined surface 35 is emitted as shown in FIG. 3A. Reflected by the one-flow micromirror 41 and incident on the output optical waveguide 20, the output light emitted from the input optical waveguide 15 of the second optical waveguide pair is reflected by the second flow micromirror 42 and outputted The light incident on the inclined surface 35 of the optical waveguide 27 is incident. In addition, when the first and second flow micromirrors 41 and 42 are separated from the optical path, the output light of the input optical waveguide 12 of the first optical waveguide pair is an input optical waveguide as shown in FIG. 3B. Reflected by the inclined surface 35 formed at the end of the (12) and reflected by the inclined surface 35 of the output optical waveguide 27 of the second optical waveguide pair, and enters the input optical waveguide 15 of the second optical waveguide pair The emitted light is reflected by the third fixed micromirror 33 and is incident on the output optical waveguide 20 of the first optical waveguide pair.

On the other hand, as described above, the end of the optical waveguide may be thermally expanded or formed in a lens shape, but is not limited thereto.

The present invention configured as described above is to eliminate the optical axis shift (offset error), that is, the light reflected from the micromirror, which is a problem occurring in the conventional optical switch principle.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and second flow micromirrors 41 and 42 reflect the optical signals in order to allow the optical signals to enter and exit the first and second optical waveguide pairs, respectively. Move towards the optical waveguide. That is, the optical signal emitted through the input optical waveguide 10 of the first optical waveguide pair is reflected by the first fixed micromirror 31 and the first flow micromirror 41 to the optical axis of the output optical waveguide 20. It enters without escape. In addition, the second optical waveguide pair, the same as the first optical waveguide pair, the optical signal emitted through the input optical waveguide 15 of the second optical waveguide pair is the second flow micromirror 42 and the second fixed micromirror Reflected by 32 is incident on the output optical waveguide 25.

Meanwhile, in the case of changing the path of the optical signal, the first and second flow micromirrors are moved outward through the actuator to be separated from the optical path. That is, the optical signal emitted through the input optical waveguide 10 of the first optical waveguide pair is reflected by the first fixed micromirror 31 and the second fixed micromirror 32 to output the optical waveguide of the second optical waveguide pair. Incident is made without leaving the optical axis of (25). In addition, the optical signal emitted through the input optical waveguide 15 of the second optical waveguide pair is reflected by the third fixed micromirror 33 and is incident on the output optical waveguide 20 of the first optical waveguide pair.

Therefore, when the micromirror is in the middle of the optical axis, the optical signal exits outwardly or is reflected symmetrically twice to be transmitted to the optical waveguide, so that the deviation of the optical signal may be eliminated. In addition, the optical waveguide is located on one side and the actuator is located on the other side, it is easy to package the device. In this case, the actuator may be an electrostatic comb actuator, a parallel plate actuator, an electromagnetic force actuator, a thermoelastic actuator, or the like.

On the other hand, it is preferable that a plurality of first optical waveguide pairs and second optical waveguide pairs configured as described above are constituted.

An embodiment of the present invention described above and illustrated in the drawings should not be construed as limiting the technical spirit of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention is limited only by the matters described in the claims, and those skilled in the art can change and change the technical idea of the present invention in various forms. Therefore, such improvements and modifications will fall within the protection scope of the present invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

According to the present invention as described above it is possible to eliminate the offset error is reflected off the micromirror from the optical axis of the output optical waveguide, the arrangement of the optical waveguide on one side and the arrangement of the actuator on the other side to facilitate the packaging of the device It works.

1 is a schematic structural diagram of a MEMS type optical switch equipped with a double type micromirror according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a schematic structural diagram after a micromirror is operated in a MEMS type optical switch equipped with a double type micromirror according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3A and 3B are schematic structural diagrams of a MEMS type optical switch equipped with a double type micromirror according to another embodiment of the present invention;

4A and 4B are schematic structural diagrams of a conventional general MEMS type optical switch;

5 is a view for explaining an optical axis error in a conventional general MEMS type optical switch.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

10: input optical waveguide (first optical waveguide pair) 20: output optical waveguide (first optical waveguide pair)

15: input optical waveguide (second optical waveguide pair) 25: output optical waveguide (second optical waveguide pair)

31: first fixed micromirror 32: second fixed micromirror

33: third fixed micromirror 35: inclined plane

41: first flow micromirror 42: second flow micromirror

50: actuator

Claims (7)

A pair of input and output optical waveguides and a pair of the optical waveguide pairs, a micromirror for converting a path of an optical signal on an optical path between the input and output optical waveguides, and driving the micromirror In the MEMS type optical switch structure comprising an actuator to make, The first optical waveguide pair 10 and 20 and the second optical waveguide pair 15 and 25 are arranged side by side on one side, The first fixed micromirror 31 and the second fixedly installed so that the optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide 10 of the first optical waveguide pair is incident on the output optical waveguide 25 of the second optical waveguide pair on the other side. A third fixed micromirror fixed to the fixed micromirror 32 and the optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide 15 of the second optical waveguide pair to be incident on the output optical waveguide 20 of the first optical waveguide pair (33) and a first flow micromirror (41) which flows such that an optical signal input from the input optical waveguide 10 of the first optical waveguide pair is incident on the output optical waveguide 20 of the first optical waveguide pair. And a second flow micromirror 42 which flows such that the optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide 15 of the second optical waveguide pair is incident on the output optical waveguide 25 of the second optical waveguide pair. Mem equipped with a double-type micromirror, characterized in that Structure type optical switch. The method of claim 1, The first fixed micromirror is fixed so that an exit angle is 45 degrees with respect to the input optical waveguide 10 of the first optical waveguide pair, and the second fixed micromirror is fixed symmetrically with the first fixed micromirror, The third fixed micromirror is bent and fixed to equilibrate with the first fixed micromirror and the second fixed micromirror, respectively. The first flow micromirror is symmetrical with the first fixed micromirror, and the second flow micromirror is formed to be symmetrical with the first flow micromirror, MEMS type optical switch provided with a double-type micromirror rescue. The method of claim 1, MEMS type optical switch structure having a double type micromirror, characterized in that a plurality of the first optical waveguide pair and the second optical waveguide pair. The method according to claim 1 or 2, MEMS type optical switch structure having a double-type micromirror, characterized in that the end of the waveguide of the first optical waveguide pair and the second optical waveguide pair is inclined. The method according to claim 1 or 2, MEMS type optical switch structure having a double-type micromirror, characterized in that the end of the waveguide of the first optical waveguide pair and the second optical waveguide pair is thermally extended. The method according to claim 1 or 2, MEMS type optical switch structure having a double-type micromirror, characterized in that the end of the first optical waveguide pair and the second optical waveguide pair is formed in a lens shape. A pair of input and output optical waveguides and a pair of the optical waveguide pairs, a micromirror for converting a path of an optical signal on an optical path between the input and output optical waveguides, and driving the micromirror In the MEMS type optical switch structure comprising an actuator to make, The first optical waveguide pair and the second optical waveguide pair are configured side by side on one side, On the other side, an input optical waveguide of the first optical waveguide pair protrudes with respect to the output optical waveguide of the first optical waveguide pair, and an inclined surface thereof is formed such that an end thereof is reflected by the output optical waveguide of the second optical waveguide pair and the second optical waveguide is reflected. The output optical waveguides of the optical waveguide pair protrude from the output optical waveguides of the second optical waveguide pair, and the inclined surface is formed such that an end thereof is input such that an optical signal through the input optical waveguides of the first optical waveguide pair is input, and the second optical waveguide pair A third fixed micromirror fixed to the optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide of the first optical waveguide to be incident on the output optical waveguide of the first optical waveguide pair, and the optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide of the first optical waveguide pair A first flow micromirror which flows to be incident to the output optical waveguide of the optical waveguide pair, and an optical signal emitted from the input optical waveguide of the second optical waveguide pair to the second optical waveguide A second double-type, the MEMS type optical switch structure provided with a micro mirror, characterized in that comprises a flow such that the flow enters the micro-mirror is an output optical waveguide pair.