Novel micromechanical network elements
01 January 2000
Summary form only given. Innovative optical microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) having valuable loss, speed, size and cost attributes, offer new solutions to the design and operation of lightwave network elements. The range of function and complexity achieved in optical MEMS devices is illustrated by examples of deflecting-membrane attenuators and equalizers, single-element 1×2 switches, reconfigurable multi-channel add/drop multiplexers, and large-scale micromechanical integrated circuit switch arrays