MEMS-actuated optical switches can be implemented on photonic chips. These switches are compact, essentially planar, simple to implement and include only one moving MEMS component per switch. The switches exhibit low optical loss, require low power to operate, and are simple to control and easy to integrate with other optical devices. Each switch has two optical waveguides that are optically coupled in an ON switch state and not coupled in an OFF switch state. An end or a medial section of one of the two waveguides may translate between the ON and OFF states to affect the coupling. Alternatively, a coupling frustrator may translate between the ON and OFF states to affect the coupling.

An apparatus includes a plurality of connector track elements, each extending substantially perpendicularly from a coupling plane, wherein a particular connector track element of the plurality of connector track elements includes a distribution of at least two magnets adjacent unattached end thereof, a polarity of the magnets on the particular connector track element being selected to provide magnetic repulsion as to at least one adjacent connector track element.

An apparatus includes a plurality of connector track elements, each extending substantially perpendicularly from a coupling plane, wherein a particular connector track element of the plurality of connector track elements includes a distribution of at least two magnets adjacent unattached end thereof, a polarity of the magnets on the particular connector track element being selected to provide magnetic repulsion as to at least one adjacent connector track element.

A MEMS optical switch with micro optical filters using is disclosed. The optical switch provides any-to-any non-intrusive multi-layer optical switching using micro optical filters such as micromirrors and micro-lenses activated and deactivated using MEMS technology. 3-D optical switches using the same switching design can also be constructed by combining multiple MEMS optical switches together.

An apparatus includes a plurality of connector track elements, each extending substantially perpendicularly from a coupling plane, wherein a particular connector track element of the plurality of connector track elements includes a distribution of at least two magnets adjacent unattached end thereof, a polarity of the magnets on the particular connector track element being selected to provide magnetic repulsion as to at least one adjacent connector track element.

An automated fiber optic patch-panel/cross-connect system comprised of a stacked arrangement of multiple replaceable modules, including a first multiplicity of fiber modules, each with a second multiplicity of reconfigurable internal fiber connectors; a common robot module shared among fiber modules, wherein any connector within a fiber module in the system can be moved to any other connector of any other fiber module in the system; a power management module that distributes electrical power to the fiber modules and the robot module; and a server module that generates commands that are placed on communication bus to activate robot and fiber modules. The modules are physically separated and spatially arranged to be serviced replaced without interrupting fiber connections previously established in the system.

A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) package includes a PIC die including electro-optical circuitry having an optical waveguide system therein and a V-groove fiber optic receptacle on a first surface thereof. The V-groove fiber optic receptacle positions an optical element, e.g., optical fiber(s), for optical coupling with the optical waveguide system. An optical element is operatively coupled to the optical waveguide system and positioned in the V-groove fiber optic receptacle. A magnetic force inducer (MFI) is positioned to forcibly direct the optical element into position in the V-groove fiber optic receptacle in response to application of a magnetic field from a direction opposite the V-groove fiber optic receptacle in the first surface. During assembly, a magnetic field may be applied to the MFI to generate the magnetic force. After adhering the optical element, the magnetic field may remain to allow the PIC package to be moved with more security. The MFI may remain with and become part of the finished assembly.

The invention refers to an optical fiber coupling device for ensuring contamination-free coupling and uncoupling of an optical fiber to a further optical component. The optical fiber coupling device comprises a lid mechanism for opening and closing an axial channel of the optical fiber coupling device. The lid mechanism comprises a driver element and a lid element . The driver element is arranged on an exterior side of a main coupling structure of the device and is movable between a first and a second position. The lid element arranged in an interior of the main coupling structure and is movable between a closed position, in which the lid element closes the axial channel, and an open position, in which the lid element exposes the axial channel. The lid element is magnetically coupled to the driver element. The invention further refers to a laser module comprising the optical fiber coupling device.

Mechanisms and designs of large scale, modular, robotic software-defined patch-panels incorporate numerous features that ensure reliable operation. A telescopic arm assembly (104) with actuated gripper mechanism (103) is used to transport internally latching connectors (101) within a stacked array of translatable rows (102). A unique two-state magnetic latching feature provides reliable, low loss optical connections. Flexible, magnetically levitated internal structures are provided to assist the robot in automatically aligning to, engaging, and disengaging any internal connection in a fast reliable process within the stacked array.

An apparatus includes a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS). The MEMS includes a substrate having electrical lines thereon, a slab of optically transmissive material having parallel opposite partially reflective faces to form an optical etalon, a metal trace rigidly fixed along one or more of the faces of the slab, one or more springs rotatably fixing the slab to the substrate, one more magnets located to produce a magnetic field at the metal trace. The electrical lines are connected to the metal trace to provide an electrical current to the metal trace. The optical etalon is configured to tilt in response to producing an electrical current in the metal trace.