The beam distributor includes a housing, at least one beam entrance, two or more beam exits, a motor, and a beam turning part fixed to a rotary axis member of the motor and changing a direction of a beam input to the inside of the housing through the beam entrance so as to guide the input beam to the beam exit. A rotary axis of the motor is arranged parallel to an optical axis of the beam so as to input the beam to the beam turning part at a constant angle independently of a rotational angle about the rotary axis of the motor. The beam exit is arranged in a direction to which the direction of the beam is changed by the beam turning part in response to rotation of the rotary axis member. A storage stores an angular information recorded in advance about the rotary axis.

An optical switching arrangement includes a plurality of input and output waveguides. Each of the input waveguides has a first plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the output waveguides has a second plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the first and second plurality of optical switches is selectively switchable between a through-state and a cross-state. The input and output waveguides are arranged such that optical losses arising for any wavelength of light only depend on a length of segments of the input and output waveguides located between adjacent ones of the 12 optical switches. Each of the first plurality of optical switches associated with each of the input waveguides is optically coupled to one of the second plurality of optical switches in a different one of the output waveguides when both optical switches are in the cross-state.

Described herein is an apparatus comprising a base, one or more stands disposed on the base, wherein the stands comprise one or more movement mechanisms configured to move the stands; and one or more translating units disposed on the one or more stands, wherein the one or more translating units comprise a fiber holder. In some embodiments, the one or more translating units are configured to receive and shape a fiber to control spatial degrees of freedom and temporal degrees of freedom of light propagating through the fiber. In some embodiments, each of the one or more translating units can be moved along an x-axis, a y-axis, or a z-axis to manipulate the fiber.

An optical switching arrangement includes a plurality of input and output waveguides. Each of the input waveguides has a first plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the output waveguides has a second plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the first and second plurality of optical switches is selectively switchable between a through-state and a cross-state. The input and output waveguides are arranged such that optical losses arising for any wavelength of light only depend on a length of segments of the input and output waveguides located between adjacent ones of the 12 optical switches. Each of the first plurality of optical switches associated with each of the input waveguides is optically coupled to one of the second plurality of optical switches in a different one of the output waveguides when both optical switches are in the cross-state.

An optical switching arrangement includes a plurality of input and output waveguides. Each of the input waveguides has a first plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the output waveguides has a second plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the first and second plurality of optical switches is selectively switchable between a through-state and a cross-state. The input and output waveguides are arranged such that optical losses arising for any wavelength of light only depend on a length of segments of the input and output waveguides located between adjacent ones of the 12 optical switches. Each of the first plurality of optical switches associated with each of the input waveguides is optically coupled to one of the second plurality of optical switches in a different one of the output waveguides when both optical switches are in the cross-state.

Optical switch based on a micro-minor device such as a DMD configured to simultaneously switch light from N inputs to M outputs with switching times of about 10 microseconds, where N and M are generally greater than one. The minors of the device are oriented according to a pattern calculated based on a Fourier Transform of spatial distribution of M outputs such as to form, in diffraction of light incident on the device, and diffraction light pattern that in the output plane is substantially congruent with the spatial distribution of M outputs. The device can be configured as a modulator of amplitude and/or a modulator of phase of incident light wavefront.

An optical switching arrangement includes a plurality of input and output waveguides. Each of the input waveguides has a first plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the output waveguides has a second plurality of 12 optical switches associated therewith and extending therealong. Each of the first and second plurality of optical switches is selectively switchable between a through-state and a cross-state. The input and output waveguides are arranged such that optical losses arising for any wavelength of light only depend on a length of segments of the input and output waveguides located between adjacent ones of the 12 optical switches. Each of the first plurality of optical switches associated with each of the input waveguides is optically coupled to one of the second plurality of optical switches in a different one of the output waveguides when both optical switches are in the cross-state.

Optical switch based on a micro-minor device such as a DMD configured to simultaneously switch light from N inputs to M outputs with switching times of about 10 microseconds, where N and M are generally greater than one. The minors of the device are oriented according to a pattern calculated based on a Fourier Transform of spatial distribution of M outputs such as to form, in diffraction of light incident on the device, and diffraction light pattern that in the output plane is substantially congruent with the spatial distribution of M outputs. The device can be configured as a modulator of amplitude and/or a modulator of phase of incident light wavefront.

An optical switching device including an optical switching engine may be packaged by omitting an optical bench and disposing optical elements directly on a base of a housing of the optical switching device. The optical switching engine may be disposed on a ceramic portion of the base, and thermally matched to the ceramic base. The base may be reinforced by the housing walls and optional internal rigidity ribs. The optical elements may be thermally matched to the base, and the lid may be strain relieved by thinning lid edges. The housing may be mounted to an external chassis using soft grummets.

A high-capacity optical fiber switching system enables selective interconnection of individual input fibers to output fibers. A three-dimensional array of paired linear elements with selectable flexibility and length is arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns to form a transverse interchange plane. Each pair consists of a stationary lower element and a movable upper element, the latter holding a terminus of a distinct optical fiber. Couplers placed within this array facilitate signal conductor connections. A transport device with an axially movable gripper moves in horizontal spaces between columns to reposition the movable fiber terminals. Signal-controlled, orthogonal linear drives provide vertical and horizontal movements of the transport device, enabling placement within the fiber array.