MEMS wavelength-selective switch incorporating liquid crystal shutters for attenuation and hitless operation

Author

Arad, U. ; Corem, Yossi ; Frenkel, Boris ; Deich, Valery ; Dunayevsky, J. ; Harel, R. ; Janosik, Peter ; Cohen, G. ; Marom, Dan M.

Author_Institution

Oclaro Corp., Jerusalem, Israel

fYear

2013

fDate

18-22 Aug. 2013

Firstpage

73

Lastpage

74

Abstract

We present the technological merits of combining a high fill factor, one-dimensional, MEMS micro-mirror array for switching and liquid crystal shutters for amplitude control within a wavelength-selective switch (WSS). The combination allows for simplified MEMS actuator design, support for high port counts, high attenuation accuracy, high natural frequency, mechanical robustness against shock & vibrations, and fast switching times. The complexity associated with dual modulating elements at the focal plane is addressed by design choices and optimization of the depth of focus. The WSS is fully Telcordia qualified and carrying live traffic in deployed networks.

Keywords

focal planes; liquid crystal devices; micro-optomechanical devices; microactuators; micromirrors; microswitches; optical arrays; optical communication equipment; optical design techniques; optical modulation; optical switches; MEMS actuator design; MEMS wavelength-selective switch; Telcordia qualified wavelength-selective switch; amplitude control; attenuation accuracy; attenuation operation; dual modulating elements; focal plane; high fill factor one-dimensional MEMS micromirror array; hitless operation; liquid crystal shutters; mechanical robustness; natural frequency; port counts; shock; switching time; vibrations; Actuators; Arrays; Attenuation; Micromechanical devices; Mirrors; Optical switches;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Optical MEMS and Nanophotonics (OMN), 2013 International Conference on

Conference_Location

Kanazawa

ISSN

2160-5033

Print_ISBN

978-1-4799-1512-5

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/OMN.2013.6659065

Filename

6659065