Wavelength-Selective 1x2 Switch Utilizing a Planar Lightwave Circuit Stack and a MEMS Micromirror Array

01 January 2004

New Image

Free-space switching with a MEMS micromirror array between two stacked planar lightwave circuits is used to construct a wavelength-selective switch. The switch disperses the spectral signal on the micromirror array, achieving wide and flat passbands. Our approach extends the functionality of planar lightwave circuits to three dimensions, and scales to support many DWDM channels and ports.