%0 Journal Article %J JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY %D 2005 %T

Wavelength-Selective 1 X K Switches UsingFree-Space Optics and MEMS Micromirrors:Theory, Design, and Implementation

%A Dan M. Marom %A David T. Neilson %A Member, OSA %A Dennis S. Greywall %A Chien-Shing Pai %A Nagesh R. Basavanhally %A Vladimir A. Aksyuk %A Daniel O. López %A Flavio Pardo %A Maria Elina Simon %A Yee Low %A Paul Kolodner %A Cristian A. Bolle %X

The design and performance of several generations of wavelength-selective 1 X K switches are reviewed. These optical subsystems combine the functionality of a demultiplexer, per-wavelength switch, and multiplexer in a single, low-loss unit. Free-space optics is utilized for spatially separating the constituent wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) channels as well as for space-division switching from an input optical fiber to one of K output fibers (1 X K functionality) on a channel-by-channel basis using a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) micromirror array. The switches are designed to provide wide and flat pass- bands for minimal signal distortion. They can also provide spectral equalization and channel blocking functionality, making them well suited for use in transparent WDM optical mesh networks.

%B JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY %V 23 %P 1620-1630 %G eng %U http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?arnumber=1424138 %N 4