OPTICAL SELECTIVE SWITCH AND NODE APPARATUS
20230075373 · 2023-03-09
Inventors
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
An optical selective switch includes N input ports, M output ports, an input passive deflection element, an input active deflection element, an output passive deflection element, and an output active deflection element. Each input port is configured to receive input light. Each output port is configured to output to-be-output light from the output port. The input passive deflection element is configured to deflect the input light to a direction corresponding to an intermediate output port. The input active deflection element is configured to deflect the input light to a direction corresponding to a target output port based on the deflection of the input passive deflection element. The output passive deflection element is configured to deflect the to-be-output light to the direction corresponding to the intermediate output port. The output active deflection element is configured to deflect the to-be-output light to the target output port.
Claims
1. An optical selective switch, comprising: N input ports, wherein each input port is configured to receive input light, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 3; M output ports, wherein each output port is configured to output to-be-output light from the output port, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 3; an input passive deflection element, configured to deflect the input light to a direction corresponding to an intermediate output port; an input active deflection element, configured to deflect the input light to a direction corresponding to a target output port based on the deflection of the input passive deflection element; an output passive deflection element, configured to deflect the to-be-output light to the direction corresponding to the intermediate output port; and an output active deflection element, configured to deflect the to-be-output light to the target output port based on the deflection of the output passive deflection element.
2. The optical selective switch according to claim 1, wherein the N input ports are disposed side by side in a first direction, the input passive deflection element comprises a plurality of first prism structures disposed side by side in the first direction, and at least one of the N input ports except an intermediate input port is in a one-to-one correspondence with the first prism structures; and the first prism structure is configured to deflect the input light to the direction corresponding to the intermediate output port by a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1, and first pretilt angles Δθ.sub.1 of the plurality of first prism structures are gradually reduced in the first direction from an edge of the input passive deflection element to its center.
3. The optical selective switch according to claim 2, wherein the first prism structure comprises a right-angled triangular prism, a cross section of the right-angled triangular prism in a direction perpendicular to a light incident surface of the input active deflection element is a right triangle, there is a wedge angle α between a hypotenuse of the right triangle and the light incident surface of the input active deflection element, and an opening direction of the wedge angle α faces toward the center of the input passive deflection element; and wedge angles α of the plurality of first prism structures are gradually reduced in the first direction from the edge of the input passive deflection element to its center.
4. The optical selective switch according to claim 3, wherein when N is an even number, the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 satisfies
5. The optical selective switch according to claim 4, wherein when N is an even number, the wedge angle α satisfies or
6. The optical selective switch according to claim 2, wherein the first prism structure comprises at least one dimming structure, and a range for performing phase modulation on an optical signal by using each dimming structure is 0-2π; each dimming structure comprises a plurality of quadrangular prisms disposed side by side in the first direction, there are quadrangular prisms of Q height levels in each dimming structure in any prism structure, a quadrangular prism of each height level is configured to modulate a phase of an optical signal in the phase modulation range, 2≤Q, Q is an integer, and height change rates of the plurality of quadrangular prisms in the dimming structure of the first prism structure are gradually reduced in the first direction from the edge of the input passive deflection element to its center; and a height direction of the quadrangular prism is parallel to a direction perpendicular to the light incident surface of the input active deflection element, and a cross section of the quadrangular prism in the direction perpendicular to the light incident surface of the input active deflection element is a rectangle.
7. The optical selective switch according to claim 6, wherein quantities of quadrangular prisms in all the first prism structures are the same.
8. The optical selective switch of claim 6, wherein a length of any side of the rectangular is less than a minimum wavelength of the incident optical signal.
9. The optical selection switch according to claim 2, wherein the first prism structure comprises S metasurface structures disposed side by side in a second direction, the second direction intersects the first direction, and a range for performing phase modulation on an optical signal by using each metasurface structure is 0-2π; all wavelength channels covered by the first prism structure in the second direction are classified into S bands, and each metasurface structure corresponds to one band, wherein S≥2, and S is an integer; each metasurface structure comprises a plurality of nano-microcolumns arranged in an array, and a distance between two adjacent nano-microcolumns in the first direction is smaller than a center wavelength of a band corresponding to the metasurface structure; and area change rates of cross sections of a plurality of nano-microcolumns in one row in one metasurface structure are gradually reduced in the first direction from the edge of the input passive deflection element to its center, and the cross sections are parallel to the light incident surface of the input active deflection element.
10. The optical selective switch according to claim 9, wherein in the first direction, quantities of nano-microcolumns in a same row in all the metasurface structures are the same.
11. The optical selective switch according to claim 1, wherein the input light is a plurality of channels of light obtained through wavelength division multiplexing, and the optical selective switch further comprises: an input grating element, configured to split the input light from each input port into optical signals of different wavelengths based on a plurality of wavelength channels of the input light; and an output grating element, configured to multiplex to-be-output light of one or more wavelengths to a same output port.
12. The optical selective switch according to claim 11, wherein the first prism structure covers, in the second direction, all wavelength channels of input light from an input port corresponding to the first prism structure, and the second direction intersects the first direction.
13. The optical selective switch according to claim 2, wherein the M output ports are disposed side by side in the first direction, the output passive deflection element comprises a plurality of second prism structures disposed side by side in the first direction, and at least one of the M output ports except the intermediate output port is in a one-to-one correspondence with the second prism structures; and the second prism structure is configured to deflect the to-be-output light to the direction corresponding to the intermediate output port by a second pretilt angle Δθ.sub.2, and second pretilt angles Δθ.sub.2 of the plurality of second prism structures are gradually reduced in the first direction from an edge of the output passive deflection element to its center.
14. The optical selective switch according to claim 13, wherein the quantity N of input ports is the same as the quantity M of output ports, and a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of a first prism structure corresponding to the k.sup.th input port is equal to a second pretilt angle Δθ.sub.2 of a second prism structure corresponding to the k.sup.th output port, wherein 1≤k≤N, and k is an integer.
15. The optical selective switch according to claim 1, wherein the input passive deflection element is disposed on a light incident surface of the input active deflection element; and the optical selective switch further comprises an antireflective film, and the antireflective film is disposed on a side surface of the input passive deflection element close to the input active deflection element.
16. The optical selective switch according to claim 2, wherein the input passive deflection element is disposed on a light incident surface of the input active deflection element; the input active deflection element is a liquid crystal on silicon panel, and the liquid crystal on silicon comprises a silicon substrate and a transparent cover plate that are disposed opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer located between the silicon substrate and the transparent cover plate; and the first prism structure is disposed on a side surface of the transparent cover plate far away from the silicon substrate.
17. The optical selective switch according to claim 2, wherein when N is an odd number, at least the ((N+1)/2).sup.th input port of the N input ports is an intermediate input port; or when N is an even number, at least the (N/2).sup.th input port and the (N/2+1).sup.th input port of the N input ports are all intermediate input ports; and when M is an odd number, at least the ((M+1)/2).sup.th output port of the M output ports is an intermediate output port; or when M is an even number, at least the (M/2).sup.th output port and the (M/2+1).sup.th output port of the M output ports are all intermediate output ports.
18. The optical selective switch according to claim 17, wherein when
19. An optical selective switch, comprising: N input ports, wherein each input port is configured to receive input light, N is an integer greater than or equal to 3, and one end that is of at least one of the N input ports except an intermediate input port and that is on an inner side of the optical selective switch is deflected to a direction corresponding to the intermediate input port; M output ports, wherein each output port is configured to output to-be-output light from the output port, M is an integer greater than or equal to 3, and one end that is of at least one of the M output ports except an intermediate output port and that is on the inner side of the optical selective switch is deflected to a direction corresponding to the intermediate output port; an input active deflection element, configured to deflect the input light to a direction corresponding to a target output port; and an output active deflection element, configured to deflect the to-be-output light to the target output port.
20. The optical selective switch according to claim 19, wherein one end that is of at least one of the N input ports except the intermediate input port and that is on the inner side of the optical selective switch is deflected to the direction corresponding to the intermediate input port by a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1, and the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 is gradually reduced in a direction from an input port at an edge to the intermediate input port; and the quantity N of input ports is the same as the quantity M of output ports, and a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of the k.sup.th input port is equal to a second pretilt angle Δθ.sub.2 of the k.sup.th output port, wherein 1≤k≤N, and k is an integer.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0063] 01: optical network; 10: node apparatus; 100: optical selective switch; 20: grating element; 30: first switch structure; 40: second switch structure; 20a: input grating element; 20b: output grating element; 301: input active deflection element; 302: input passive deflection element; 401: output active deflection element; 402: output passive deflection element; 311: silicon substrate; 312: transparent cover plate; 313: liquid crystal layer; 314: first electrode; 315: second electrode; 320: antireflective film; 51: first prism structure; 52: second prism structure; 50: bearing plate; 510: quadrangular prism; 511: dimming structure; 500: metasurface structure; 501: nano-microcolumn; 60: flat layer; and 70: substrate.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0064] The following describes the technical solutions in embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings in embodiments of this application. It is clear that the described embodiments are merely a part rather than all of embodiments of this application.
[0065] The terms “first” and “second” mentioned below are merely intended for a purpose of description, and shall not be understood as an indication or implication of relative importance or implicit indication of the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature limited by “first ” or “second” may explicitly indicate or implicitly include one or more such features. In the descriptions of this application, unless otherwise stated, “a plurality of” means two or more than two.
[0066] In addition, in embodiments of this application, orientation terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “left”, and “right” may include but are not limited to definitions based on illustrated orientations in which components in the accompanying drawings are placed. It should be understood that, these directional terms may be relative concepts. They are used for description and clarification of relative positions, and may vary accordingly depending on a change in the orientations in which the components in the accompanying drawings are placed in the accompanying drawings.
[0067] In embodiments of this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a term “connection” should be understood in a broad sense. For example, the “connection” may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integrated connection, or may be a direct connection or an indirect connection implemented through an intermediate medium.
[0068] This application provides anode apparatus 10 that may be applied to an optical network 01 shown in FIG. la. The optical network 01 may be applied to various communication scenarios, for example, a local telephone trunk line, long-distance trunk communication, a global communication network, or public telecommunication networks in various countries. The optical network 01 may be further applied to television signal transmission, monitoring and scheduling in an industrial production site, traffic surveillance control and commanding, cable television networks in cities and towns, a community antenna television (CATV), a fiber optic local area network, and the like.
[0069] The optical network 01 may include a plurality of node apparatuses 10, and the node apparatuses 10 are connected to each other through an optical channel. One node apparatus 10 may be connected to any quantity of other node apparatuses 10. The node apparatus 10 may be a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM) or an optical cross-connect (OXC). In some embodiments of this application, as shown in
[0070] A structure of the optical selective switch 100 provided in this embodiment of this application is shown in
[0071] The N input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , and I.sub.N) are disposed side by side in a first direction Y (which may also be referred to as a port direction). Each input port is configured to receive one or more light beams as input light. The input light has a plurality of wavelength channels (λ.sub.1, λ.sub.2, λ.sub.3, . . . , and λ.sub.J) in a second direction X (which may also be referred to as a wavelength direction) shown in
[0072] In this way, optical signals of different wavelengths may be mixed together as the input light and transmitted through one input port (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , or I.sub.N), to implement a wavelength division multiplexing (wavelength division multiplexing, WDM) technology. This implements high-speed data propagation. Digital signals carried by optical signals of different wavelengths in input light from a same input port may have a same rate and use a same data format, or may have different rates and use different data formats.
[0073] In addition, there may be at least one intermediate input port in the N input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , and I.sub.N) disposed side by side in the first direction Y shown in
[0074] In some other embodiments of this application, when N is an even number, at least the (N/2).sup.th input port and the (N/2+1).sup.th input port of the N input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , and I.sub.N) are the intermediate input ports. For example, when N=4, the second input port I.sub.2 and the third input port I.sub.3 are the intermediate input ports. Alternatively, for another example, when N=6, the third input port I.sub.3 and the fourth input port I.sub.4 are the intermediate input ports.
[0075] In addition, as shown in
[0076] Based on this, there may be at least one intermediate output port in the M output ports (O.sub.1, O.sub.2, O.sub.3, . . . , and O.sub.M) disposed side by side in the first direction Y. In some embodiments of this application, when the quantity M of output ports is an odd number, at least the ((M+1)/2).sup.th output port of the M output ports (O.sub.1, O.sub.2, O.sub.3, . . . , and O.sub.M) may be the intermediate output port. For example, when M=3, the second output port O.sub.2 is the intermediate output port. Alternatively, for another example, when M=5, the third output port O.sub.3 is the intermediate output port.
[0077] In some other embodiments of this application, when M is an even number, at least the (M/2).sup.th output port and the (M/2+1).sup.th output port of the M output ports (O.sub.1, O.sub.2, O.sub.3, . . . , and O.sub.M) are the intermediate output ports. For example, when M=4, the second output port O.sub.2 and the third output port O.sub.3 are the intermediate output ports. Alternatively, for another example, when M=6, the third output port O.sub.3 and the fourth output port O.sub.4 are the intermediate output ports.
[0078] In some embodiments of this application, the N input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , and I.sub.N) and the M output ports (O.sub.1, O.sub.2, O.sub.3, . . . , and O.sub.M) may be located on a same side and disposed side by side in the first direction Y. In some accompanying drawings in embodiments of this application, to facilitate description of a beam propagation path, a description is provided by using an example in which the N input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , and I.sub.N) and the M output ports (O.sub.1, O.sub.2, O.sub.3, . . . , and O.sub.M) may be respectively disposed on both sides of the first switch structure 30 and the second switch structure 40.
[0079] In addition, when the input light is a plurality of channels of light obtained through wavelength division multiplexing, the optical selective switch 100 may further include an input grating element 20a and an output grating element 20b shown in
[0080] Further, the output grating element 20b may be located between the second switch structure 40 and the M output ports (O.sub.1, O.sub.2, O.sub.3, . . . , and O.sub.M). The output grating element 20b may be configured to multiplex to-be-output light of one or more wavelengths to a same output port (O.sub.1, O.sub.2, O.sub.3, . . . , or O.sub.M).
[0081] In some embodiments of this application, the optical selective switch 100 may further include a light collimation element (not shown in the figure) disposed between the N input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , and I.sub.N) and the input grating element 20a. The light collimation element can enable the input light from the N input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , and I.sub.N) to be vertically incident to a light incident surface of an input grating element 20a in a normal direction of the light incident surface of the input grating element 20a, so that the input grating element 20a can more accurately split the incident light. Similarly, the optical selective switch 100 may further include a light collimation element disposed between the output grating element 20b and the M output ports (O.sub.1, O.sub.2, O.sub.3, . . . , and O.sub.M). Technical effects of the light collimation element are the same as those described above, and details are not described herein again.
[0082] As shown in
[0083] The input passive deflection element 302 is configured to deflect the input light to a direction corresponding to an intermediate output port. For example, the optical selective switch 100 includes three (N=3) input ports: I.sub.1, I.sub.2, and I.sub.3 and three (M=3) output ports: O.sub.1, O.sub.2, and O.sub.3 that are shown in
[0084] It should be noted that, there is another element for light deflection, for example, the second switch structure 40, between the input passive deflection element 302 and the M output ports. Therefore, to describe only a light deflection function of the input passive deflection element 302, in this embodiment of this application, that the input passive deflection element 302 deflects the input light to the direction corresponding to the intermediate output port may be: The input passive deflection element 302 deflects the input light to a direction toward a position (for example, a point A in
[0085] In addition, the input active deflection element 301 in the first switch structure 30 is configured to deflect, based on the deflection of the input passive deflection element 302, the input light to the direction corresponding to the target output port. In this way, the input active deflection element 301 can perform secondary deflection on the input light based on a position of the target output port and a deflection angle of the input passive deflection element 302, so that the input light after secondary deflection can be deflected to the direction corresponding to the target output port.
[0086] It should be noted that, in this embodiment of this application, the target output port is defined as follow: Based on a requirement of optical signal transmission in the optical selective switch 100, input light that is from an input port and that has passed through the input grating element 20a and the first switch structure 30 is used as to-be-output light and then the to-be-output light is output from an output port after passing through the second switch structure 40 and the output grating element 20b. In this case, the output port is the target output port.
[0087] For example, in
[0088] A process of deflecting input light by the input active deflection element 301 and the input passive deflection element 302 in the first switch structure 30 is described below with reference to
[0089] As shown in
[0090] It should be noted that, when an optical signal transmission distance, that is, an optical path distance L, between the first switch structure 30 and the second switch structure 40 is far greater than a distance d between two adjacent output ports, the angle θ is less than 10°, for example, approximately 5°. In this case, the angle θ in
[0091] It can be learned from the foregoing description that, before the optical signals obtained by splitting the input light from the input port I.sub.1 and the input port I.sub.3 by the input grating element 20a enters the first switch structure 30, the optical signals are emitted perpendicular to a light emergent surface of the input grating element 20a in a normal direction of a light incident surface or the light emergent surface of the input grating element 20a. In addition, after the input passive deflection element 302 deflects, to the direction corresponding to the intermediate output port O.sub.2 by the angle θ, all the optical signals obtained by splitting the input light from the input port I.sub.1 and the input port I.sub.3 by the input grating element 20a, as shown in
[0092] In this way, when the input light from the input port I.sub.1 is transmitted to the output port O.sub.3 after passing through the input grating element 20a, the first switch structure 30, the second switch structure 40, and the output grating element 20b, it can be learned from the foregoing description that, the input passive deflection element 302 may deflect the input light from the input port I.sub.1 downward to the direction corresponding to the intermediate output port O.sub.2 by the angle θ. In this case, when the input active deflection element 301 deflects the input light from the input port I.sub.1 to the output port O.sub.3, the input active deflection element 301 only needs to deflect the input light from the input port I.sub.1 downward by the angle θ.
[0093] In addition, the second switch structure 40 is disposed between the first switch structure 30 and the output grating element 20b. The second switch structure 40 is configured to perform phase adjustment on to-be-output light to deflect the to-be-output light to a target output port based on a requirement. In some embodiments of this application, the second switch structure 40 may include an output active deflection element 401 and an output passive deflection element 402 shown in
[0094] The output passive deflection element 402 is configured to deflect the to-be-output light to the direction corresponding to the intermediate output port. It should be noted that, because there is no other element for light deflection between the output passive deflection element 402 and the M output ports, a light deflection function of the output passive deflection element 402 may be directly described based on a position of an output port.
[0095] In this case, in this embodiment of this application, that the output passive deflection element 402 deflects the to-be-output light to the direction corresponding to the intermediate output port may be: The output passive deflection element 402 deflects the to-be-output light to a direction toward a position of the intermediate output port (for example, the output port O.sub.2 in
[0096] In addition, the output active deflection element 401 in the second switch structure 40 is configured to deflect the to-be-output light to the target output port based on the deflection of the output passive deflection element 402. In this way, the output active deflection element 401 can perform secondary deflection on the to-be-output light based on the target output port and a deflection angle of the output passive deflection element 402, so that the to-be-output light after secondary deflection can be deflected to the target output port.
[0097] A process of deflecting to-be-input light by the output active deflection element 401 and the output passive deflection element 402 in the second switch structure 40 is described below with reference to
[0098] For example, the optical selective switch 100 includes three (N=3) input ports: I.sub.1, I.sub.2, and I.sub.3 and three (M=3) output ports: O.sub.1, O.sub.2, and O.sub.3 that are shown in
[0099] It can be learned from the foregoing description that, as shown in
[0100] In this case, if no processing is performed on an optical signal output from the first switch structure 30, as shown in
[0101] In this case, the output active deflection element 401 in the second switch structure 40 only needs to deflect, to the target output port O.sub.3 based on the deflection of the output passive deflection element 402, the to-be-output light that is from the first switch structure 30 and that needs to be multiplexed to the output port O.sub.3 through the output grating element 20b, that is, deflect the to-be-output light upward by the angle θ, without a need to deflect the to-be-output light upward by an angle 2θ.
[0102] The foregoing description is provided by using an example in which the input light that is from the input port I.sub.1 and that has passed through the input grating element 20a and the first switch structure 30 is used as the to-be-output light and then the to-be-output light is transmitted to the output port O.sub.3 after passing through the second switch structure 40 and the output grating element 20b. In addition, when the input light that is from the input port I.sub.1 and that has passed through the input grating element 20a and the first switch structure 30 is used as the to-be-output light and then the to-be-output light is transmitted to the output port O.sub.1 after passing through the second switch structure 40 and the output grating element 20b, the input passive deflection element 302 may deflect the input light from the input port I.sub.1 downward to the direction corresponding to the intermediate output port O.sub.2 by the angle θ.
[0103] In this case, when the input active deflection element 301 deflects the input light from the input port I.sub.1 to the target output port, that is, the output port O.sub.1, based on the deflection of the input passive deflection element 302, the input active deflection element 301 only needs to deflect the input light from the input port I.sub.1 upward by the angle θ.
[0104] Next, it can be learned from the foregoing description that, the output passive deflection element 402 may deflect, along a dashed line shown in
[0105] In this way, under a joint action of the output active deflection element 401 and the output passive deflection element 402 in the second switch structure 40, the to-be-output light that is from the first switch structure 30 and that needs to be multiplexed to the output port O.sub.1 through the output grating element 20b can be deflected to the output port O.sub.1.
[0106] It should be noted that, the input port I.sub.3 and the input port I.sub.2 are symmetrically disposed with respect to the input port I.sub.1. Therefore, a process in which input light from the input port I.sub.3 needs to be deflected to the output port O.sub.1 and a process in which the input light from the input port I.sub.3 needs to be deflected to the output port O.sub.3 may be similar to a deflection process of the input light from the input port I.sub.1. Details are not described herein again. In addition, the input passive deflection element 302 no longer deflects input light that is from the intermediate input port I.sub.2 and that is obtained through splitting by the input grating element 20a. The output passive deflection element 402 no longer deflects to-be-output light that is from the first switch structure 30 and that needs to be multiplexed to the intermediate output port O.sub.2 through the output grating element 20b.
[0107] In conclusion, on one hand, as shown in
[0108] In this case, if the input passive deflection element 302 and the output passive deflection element 402 are not provided, as shown in
[0109] In this way, angles at which the input active deflection element 301 and the output active deflection element 401 deflect incident optical signals can be reduced to increase energy of optical signals received by the output ports, thereby improving diffraction efficiency of the optical selective switch 100, for example, a WSS, during light beam deflection. In addition, because the angles at which the input active deflection element 301 and the output active deflection element 401 deflect the incident optical signals are reduced, an isolation between optical signals transmitted between different output ports can be increased.
[0110] On the other hand, when both the quantity N of input ports and the quantity M of output ports in the optical selective switch 100 are 3, a maximum angle at which the input active deflection element 301 deflects input light and a maximum angle at which the output active deflection element 401 deflects to-be-output light are both the angle θ. Therefore, errors of optical signals received by different output ports are the same, and signal losses generated are also the same, thereby implementing balance between a port insertion loss and port crosstalk. In this way, an amplifier may be connected to an output end of the optical selective switch 100, and errors of optical signals output from different ports are compensated by using a same amplification factor.
[0111] In addition, the input active deflection element 301 and the output active deflection element 401 each may be a reflection-type phase diffraction grating, for example, a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) panel, a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS), or a digital micro-mirror device (DMD). Alternatively, the input active deflection element 301 and the output active deflection element 401 each may be a transmission-type phase diffraction grating, for example, a liquid crystal panel.
[0112] For the transmission-type phase diffraction grating, an optical signal can be deflected only after passing through the transmission-type phase diffraction grating, and a relatively high optical loss is caused in a propagation process of the optical signal. However, the reflection-type phase diffraction grating is used to reflect an incident optical signal and perform phase adjustment. Therefore, optical signal utilization is relatively high.
[0113] Types of the input active deflection element 301 and the output active deflection element 401 are not limited in this application. When the input active deflection element 301 and the output active deflection element 401 are transmission-type phase diffraction gratings, relative positions of the input active deflection element 301 and the input passive deflection element 302 and relative positions of the output active deflection element 401 and the output passive deflection element 402 are not limited in this application.
[0114] For example, in
[0115] For ease of description, the following description is provided by using an example in which the input active deflection element 301 and the output active deflection element 401 are reflection-type phase diffraction gratings, for example, LCoS panels. As shown in
[0116] In this case, by applying a voltage to the second electrode 315 and adjusting voltages applied to first electrodes 314 in different pixel circuits, deflection angles of some liquid crystal molecules that are at the liquid crystal layer and that are corresponding to positions of the pixel circuits can be controlled, so that an optical signal passing through the liquid crystal layer can be deflected. The silicon substrate 311 in the LCoS panel may reflect an incident optical signal.
[0117] Based on this, in some embodiments of this application, as shown in
[0118] Similarly, when the output active deflection element 401 is also a reflection-type phase diffraction grating, as shown in
[0119] It should be noted that, when the input active deflection element 301 and the output active deflection element 401 are reflection-type phase diffraction gratings, an optical path shown in
[0120] Next, after passing through the output passive deflection element 402 in the second switch structure 40, to-be-output light from the first switch structure 30 is reflected by the output active deflection element 401, and is emitted by the output passive deflection element 402 again. In this case, the output active deflection element 401 and the output passive deflection element 402 cooperate with each other to deflect the to-be-output light from the first switch structure 30 to a target output end, so that the deflected light is multiplexed to the target output port, for example, an output port O.sub.M, after passing through the output grating element 20b.
[0121] In addition, in some other embodiments of this application, the input grating element 20a and the output grating element 20b in the optical selective switch 100 may be physically integrated into a grating element 20 shown in
[0122] It can be learned from the foregoing description that, the input passive deflection element 302 and the output passive deflection element 402 may deflect some incident input light, thereby reducing both a maximum angle at which the input active deflection element 301 deflects the light and a maximum angle at which the output active deflection element 401 deflects the light. Structures of the input passive deflection element 302 and the output passive deflection element 402 are described in detail below by using examples.
[0123] In some embodiments of this application, as shown in
[0124] When input light is a plurality of channels of light obtained through wavelength division multiplexing, the first prism structure 51 covers, in a second direction X, all wavelength channels of input light from an input port corresponding to the first prism structure 51. For example, a first prism structure 51 corresponding to the input port I.sub.1 may cover, in the second direction X, all wavelength channels of input light from the input port I.sub.1. A first prism structure 51 corresponding to the input port I.sub.3 may cover, in the second direction X, all wavelength channels of input light from the input port I.sub.3. Therefore, a length of a first prism structure 51 in the second direction X depends on a quantity of wavelength channels that are in an input port corresponding to the first prism structure 51 and that are used to transmit input light.
[0125] In some embodiments of this application, as shown in
[0126] Alternatively, in some other embodiments of this application, as shown in
[0127] In this case, the first prism structure 51 may be configured to deflect, to a direction corresponding to an intermediate output port by a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1, optical signals obtained by the input grating element 20a by splitting input light from an input port corresponding to the first prism structure 51. To reduce a difference between a maximum angle at which the input active deflection element 301 deflects an input port at an edge position, for example, the input port I.sub.1 and the input port I.sub.3, and a maximum angle at which the input active deflection element 301 deflects an input port at a middle position, for example, the intermediate input port I.sub.2, first pretilt angles Δθ.sub.1 of the plurality of first prism structures 51 are gradually reduced in the first direction Y from an edge of the input passive deflection element 302 to its center.
[0128] In addition, as shown in
[0129] Similarly, the second prism structure 52 covers, in the second direction X, all wavelength channels of to-be-output light from an output port corresponding to the second prism structure 52. For example, a second prism structure 52 corresponding to the output port O.sub.1 may cover, in the second direction X, all wavelength channels of to-be-output light from the output port O.sub.1. A second prism structure 52 corresponding to the output port O.sub.3 may cover, in the second direction X, all wavelength channels of to-be-output light from the output port O.sub.3. Therefore, a length of a second prism structure 52 in the second direction X depends on a quantity of wavelength channels that are in an output port corresponding to the second prism structure 52 and that are used to transmit to-be-output light.
[0130] The output passive deflection element 402 may further include a bearing plate 50 configured to bear the second prism structure 52. A manner in which the bearing plate 50 is disposed may be similar to that described above, and details are not described herein again. Alternatively, the second prism structure 52 may be directly disposed on a side surface of the transparent cover plate 312 in the output active deflection element 401 away from the silicon substrate 311.
[0131] In this case, the second prism structure 52 may be configured to deflect to-be-output light from the first switch structure 30, so that to-be-output light multiplexed by the grating 20b to an output port corresponding to the second prism structure 52 is deflected to a direction corresponding to the intermediate output port by a second pretilt angle Δθ.sub.2.
[0132] Based on this, to reduce a difference between a maximum angle at which the output active deflection element 401 deflects an output port at an edge position, for example, the output port O.sub.1 and the output port O.sub.3, and a maximum angle at which the output active deflection element 401 deflects an output port at a middle position, for example, the intermediate output port O.sub.2, second pretilt angles Δθ.sub.2 of the plurality of second prism structures 52 are gradually reduced in the first direction Y from an edge of the output passive deflection element 402 to its center.
[0133] In some embodiments of this application, the quantity N of input ports may be the same as the quantity M of output ports. In this case, a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of a first prism structure 51 corresponding to the k.sup.th input port I.sub.k is equal to a second pretilt angle Δθ.sub.2 of a second prism structure corresponding to the k.sup.th output port O.sub.k, where 1≤k≤N.
[0134] A manner of setting first pretilt angles Δθ.sub.1 of the plurality of first prism structures 51 in the input passive deflection element 302 and second pretilt angles Δθ.sub.2 of the plurality of second prism structures 52 in the output passive deflection element 402 is described below by using an example in which the quantity N of input ports is the same as the quantity M of output ports.
[0135] In some embodiments of this application, when N is an odd number, the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 satisfies the following Formula (1):
[0136] When N is an even number, the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 satisfies the following Formula (2):
[0137] Alternatively, when N is an even number, the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 satisfies the following Formula (3):
[0138] where k is a sequence number of the k.sup.th input port of the N input ports, and therefore k is an integer. It can be learned from the foregoing description that, when the angle θ is less than 10°, for example, approximately 5°, θ≈d/L. d is a distance between two adjacent input ports. L is an optical path distance between the first switch structure 30 and the second switch structure 40.
[0139] For example, as shown in
[0140] It can be learned from the foregoing description that, a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of a first prism structure 51 corresponding to the k.sup.th input port I.sub.k is equal to a second pretilt angle Δθ.sub.2 of a second prism structure corresponding to the k.sup.th output port O.sub.k. Therefore, a second pretilt angle Δθ.sub.2 of a second prism structure 52 corresponding to the first output port O.sub.1 is θ, a second pretilt angle Δθ.sub.2 of a second prism structure 52 corresponding to the second output port O.sub.2 is 0, and a second pretilt angle Δθ.sub.2 of a second prism structure 52 corresponding to the third output port O.sub.3 is θ.
[0141] Alternatively, as shown in
[0142] Based on this, if the second switch structure 40 is not provided, through joint deflection of the input active deflection element 301 and the first prism structure 51 corresponding to the input port I.sub.1, the input light from the input port I.sub.1 continues to be propagated in a dashed line direction shown in
[0143] In addition, the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of the first prism structure 51 corresponding to the second input port I.sub.2 is θ, the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of the first prism structure 51 corresponding to the third input port I.sub.3 is 0, a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of a first prism structure 51 corresponding to the fourth input port I.sub.4 is θ, and the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of the first prism structure 51 corresponding to the fifth input port I.sub.5 is 2θ. It can be learned from the foregoing description that, in this case, the maximum deflection angle of the input active deflection element 301 in the first switch structure 30 is 2θ. A manner of setting the second pretilt angle Δθ.sub.2 of the second prism structure corresponding to the k.sup.th output port O.sub.k is the same as that described above, and details are not described herein again. Similarly, it can be learned that, in this case, a maximum deflection angle of the output active deflection element 401 in the second switch structure 40 is 2θ.
[0144] Alternatively, for another example, as shown in
[0145] Alternatively, for another example, as shown in
[0146] A specific structure of the first prism structure 51 is described below. In this embodiment of this application, as shown in
[0147] As shown in
[0148] In this case, as shown in
[0149] It should be noted that, a position of the center of the input passive deflection element 302 may be a position of vertical projection of an intermediate input port of the N input ports on the input passive deflection element 302. Similarly, a position of a center of the output passive deflection element 402 may be a position of vertical projection of an intermediate output port of the M output ports on the output passive deflection element 402.
[0150] A manner of setting a wedge angle α of each first prism structure 51 in the input passive deflection element 302 is described below. It can be learned from the foregoing description that, as shown in
[0151] In this case, as shown in
[0152] Next, the light beam incident to the base of the right triangle is reflected by the base, and then refracted from the hypotenuse of the right triangle. In this case, as shown in
[0153] In this case, the following Formula (4) to Formula (6) may be obtained based on the refraction law of light (Snell's law) and a geometrical relationship:
sin(θ.sub.i−α)=n sin β (4)
n sin(2α+β)=sin γ (5)
γ−α=θ.sub.o (6)
[0154] A refractive index of the first prism structure 51 is n. Next, Formula (7) between the wedge angle α of the first prism structure 51 and the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 may be obtained based on the foregoing Formula (4) to Formula (6).
α≈Δθ.sub.1/(2(n−1)) (7)
[0155] Based on this, the foregoing Formula (1) is substituted into Formula (7), and it can be learned through calculation that, when N is an odd number, the wedge angle α satisfies the following Formula (8):
[0156] The foregoing Formula (2) is substituted into Formula (7), and it can be learned through calculation that, when N is an even number, the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 satisfies the following Formula (9):
[0157] Alternatively, the foregoing Formula (3) is substituted into Formula (7), and it can be learned through calculation that, when N is an even number, the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 satisfies the following Formula (10):
[0158] It can be learned from the foregoing description that, the input passive deflection element 302 may deflect, to a direction corresponding to an intermediate output port, input light that is from at least one of the N input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , and I.sub.N) except an intermediate input port and that is obtained through splitting by the input grating element 20a. Therefore, a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 corresponding to a position that is on the input passive deflection element 302 and that is corresponding to the intermediate input port is 0. In this case, no first prism structure 51 may be disposed at the position that is on the input passive deflection element 302 and that is corresponding to the intermediate input port. In this way, light from the intermediate input port may not be deflected at the position that is on the input passive deflection element 302 and that is corresponding to the intermediate input port.
[0159] The foregoing description is provided by using the following examples: When N is an odd number, the ((N+1)/2).sup.th input port of the N input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , and I.sub.N) is the intermediate input port; and when N is an even number, the (N/2).sup.th input port and the (N/2+1).sup.th input port of the N input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , and I.sub.N) are both the intermediate input ports. In this case, it can be learned from Formula (8) and Formula (9) that, when N is an odd number, for example, when N=5, the third input port I.sub.3 is the intermediate input port. No first prism structure 51 may be disposed at a position that is on the input passive deflection element 302 and that is corresponding to the intermediate input port I.sub.3.
[0160] In addition, wedge angles α of first prism structures 51 that are in the input passive deflection element 302 and that are corresponding to the input port I.sub.2 and the input port I.sub.4 located on both sides of the intermediate input port I.sub.3 and adjacent to the intermediate input port I.sub.3 are quite small and close to 0. Because process precision and difficulty of manufacturing the first prism structure 51 with a wedge angle α close to 0 are relatively high, to simplify a manufacturing process and reduce manufacturing difficulty, no first prism structures 51 may be disposed at positions that are on the input passive deflection element 302 and that are corresponding to the input port I.sub.2 and the input port I.sub.4.
[0161] In this case, in addition to the intermediate input ports in the following examples: when N is an odd number, the ((N+1)/2).sup.th input port of the N input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , and I.sub.N) is the intermediate input port; and when N is an even number, the (N/2).sup.th input port and the (N/2+1).sup.th input port of the N input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , and I.sub.N) are the intermediate input ports, the intermediate input port may further include the k.sup.th input port satisfying the following Formula (11):
[0162] In this way, no first prism structure 51 may be disposed at a position that is on the input passive deflection element 302 and that is corresponding to the k.sup.th input port satisfying Formula (11), so that a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of the input passive deflection element 302 relative to the k.sup.th input port satisfying Formula (11) is 0.
[0163] It can be learned from the foregoing description that, when the quantity N of input ports is the same as the quantity M of output ports, a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of a first prism structure 51 that is in the input passive deflection element 302 and that is corresponding to the k.sup.th input port I.sub.k is equal to a second pretilt angle Δθ.sub.2 of a second prism structure 52 that is in the output passive deflection element 402 and that is corresponding to the k.sup.th output port O.sub.k. Therefore, a wedge angle α of the first prism structure 51 that is in the input passive deflection element 302 and that is corresponding to the k.sup.th input port I.sub.k is equal to a wedge angle α of the second prism structure 52 that is in the output passive deflection element 402 and that is corresponding to the k.sup.th output port O.sub.k. In this case, a plurality of first prism structures 51 in the input passive deflection element 302 and a plurality of second prism structures 52 in the output passive deflection element 402 may be arranged in a mirror mode with respect to a center line (perpendicular to the direction of the optical path) of an optical path between the input passive deflection element 302 and the output passive deflection element 402.
[0164] Therefore, in addition to the intermediate output ports in the following examples: when M is an odd number, the ((M+1)/2).sup.th output port of the M output ports (O.sub.1, O.sub.2, O.sub.3, . . . , and O.sub.M) is the intermediate output port; and when M is an even number, the (M/2).sup.th output port and the (M/2+1).sup.th output port of the M output ports (O.sub.1, O.sub.2, O.sub.3, . . . , and O.sub.M) are the intermediate output ports, the intermediate output port may further include the k.sup.th output port satisfying the following Formula (12):
[0165] In this way, no second prism structure 52 may be disposed at a position that is on the output passive deflection element 402 and that is corresponding to the k.sup.th output port satisfying Formula (12), so that a second pretilt angle Δθ.sub.2 of the output passive deflection element 402 relative to the k.sup.th output port satisfying Formula (12) is 0. In addition, a process of calculating a wedge angle α of a second prism structure 52 that is in the output passive deflection element 402 and that is corresponding to an output port that is not an intermediate output port may be similar to that described above, and details are not described herein again.
[0166] It should be noted that, the structures of the input passive deflection element 302 and the output passive deflection element 402 are described above with reference to the case in which the quantity N of input ports and the quantity M of output ports in the optical selective switch 100 are the same. In some other embodiments of this application, the quantity N of input ports and the quantity M of output ports in the optical selective switch 100 are different. In this case, a wedge angle α of each second prism structure 52 in the output passive deflection element 402 needs to be set separately depending on the quantity M and positions of output ports, and a setting process thereof may be similar to a manner of setting a wedge angle α of the first prism structure 51 in the input passive deflection element 302, and details are not described herein again.
[0167] In some other embodiments of this application, the input passive deflection element 302 may include a plurality of first prism structures 51 disposed side by side in the first direction Y. At least one of the N input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , and I.sub.N) except an intermediate input port is in a one-to-one correspondence with the first prism structures 51. The output passive deflection element 402 may include a plurality of second prism structures 52 disposed side by side in the first direction Y. At least one of the M output ports (O.sub.1, O.sub.2, O.sub.3, . . . , and O.sub.M) except an intermediate output port is in a one-to-one correspondence with the second prism structures 52.
[0168] A difference from the foregoing example lies in that, the first prism structure 51 includes at least one dimming structure 511 shown in
[0169] In addition, to ensure that the first prism structure 51 covers, in a second direction X shown in
[0170] On this basis, to ensure that a range for performing phase modulation on an optical signal by using each dimming structure 511 is 0-2π, there may be quadrangular prisms of Q height levels in a plurality of (for example, 20) quadrangular prisms in each dimming structure 511 in any first prism structure (for example, a first prism structure 51a or a first prism structure 51b in
[0171] For example, as shown in
[0172] In this case, a larger quantity Q of height levels of quadrangular prisms in each dimming structure 511 in a first prism structure (for example, the first prism structure 51a or the first prism structure 51b in
[0173] As shown in
[0174] On this basis, to implement that the first pretilt angles Δθ.sub.1 of the plurality of first prism structures 51 are gradually reduced in the first direction Y from the edge of the input passive deflection element 302 to its center, height change rates of the plurality of quadrangular prisms in the dimming structure 511 of the first prism structure are gradually reduced in the first direction Y from the edge of the input passive deflection element 302 to its center, as shown in
[0175] For example, in
[0176] In addition, widths (parallel to the first direction Y) of light beams incident to all the first prism structures 51 are approximately the same. Therefore, to simplify a manufacturing process, quadrangular prisms with a same width (parallel to the first direction Y) are manufactured, and quantities of quadrangular prisms in all the first prism structures 51 may be the same. Certainly, in some other embodiments of this application, the quantities of quadrangular prisms in all the first prism structures 51 may alternatively be different.
[0177] In this case, quadrangular prisms in at least one dimming structure 511 in the first prism structure 51 in this example may form a structure having a stepped surface. This can implement wavefront phase modulation that is performed on an optical signal and that is the same as wavefront phase modulation in the foregoing example that is performed by using one strip-shaped triangular prism corresponding to a same input port I as the quadrangular prisms. In a process of designing and manufacturing the first prism structure 51, to implement the wavefront phase modulation that is the same as that in the foregoing example, correspondingly, at a position that is corresponding to the strip-shaped triangular prism and that is in the first prism structure 51 in this example, a step height H of the quadrangular prisms in the dimming structure 511 in the first prism structure 51 may satisfy the following formula:
H=[{L/λ}×8]×δh (13)
[0178] where the mathematical symbol “[ ]” in Formula (13) represents rounding of a calculation result of an expression in a parenthesis; the mathematical symbol “{}” represents obtaining a decimal part of a calculation result of an expression in a parenthesis; L represents an optical path difference obtained when an optical signal is incident to, completely passes through, and is emitted from quadrangular prisms in a dimming structure 511 in a first prism structure 51; and λ represents a wavelength of the optical signal.
[0179] It should be noted that, in both
[0180] For example, as shown in
[0181] In conclusion, in this example, a dimming structure 511 in each first prism structure 51 may include a plurality of strip-shaped quadrangular prisms 510. In this case, a surface of each quadrangular prism 510 away from the input active deflection element 301 is planar. When a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of a first prism structure 51 needs to be adjusted, only heights of quadrangular prisms 510 in the first prism structure 51 need to be adjusted. In this way, in this example and the foregoing example, wavefront phase modulation implemented by the first prism structures 51 corresponding to a same input port I are the same as that implemented by using one strip-shaped triangular prism in the foregoing example.
[0182] However, when a wedge angle α of the first prism structure 51 is slightly changed, compared with adjustment of a tilt angle of a hypotenuse of a right-angled triangular prism in the foregoing example, in a manufacturing process, it is easier to implement adjustment of the heights of the quadrangular prisms 510 in this example. In this way, processing difficulty of the first prism structure 51 can be reduced, and the input passive deflection element 302 can have better mechanical strength and stability.
[0183] In a process of manufacturing the input passive deflection element 302, the strip-shaped quadrangular prisms 510 may be manufactured by using a photolithography process on a bearing plate 50 mainly composed of SiO.sub.2. Alternatively, the strip-shaped quadrangular prisms 510 may be manufactured, on a side surface of the transparent cover plate 312 in the input active deflection element 301 away from the silicon substrate 311, through precise alignment by using a micro-nano machining device.
[0184] In addition, when the quantity N of input ports is the same as the quantity M of output ports, sizes and distribution of quadrangular prisms in a dimming structure 511 of the first prism structure 51 that is in the input passive deflection element 302 and that is corresponding to the k.sup.th input port I.sub.k are the same as those of quadrangular prisms in a dimming structure 511 of the second prism structure 52 that is in the output passive deflection element 402 and that is corresponding to the k.sup.th output port O.sub.k. A manner in which the second prism structure 52 is disposed is the same as that described above, and details are not described herein again.
[0185] When the quantity N of input ports is different from the quantity M of output ports, sizes and distribution of quadrangular prisms in a dimming structure 511 of each second prism structure 52 in the output passive deflection element 402 need to be separately set based on the quantity M and positions of output ports. A setting process thereof may be similar to a manner of setting the dimming structure 511 of the first prism structure 51 in the input passive deflection element 302, and details are not described herein again.
[0186] In some other embodiments of this application, the input passive deflection element 302 may include a plurality of first prism structures 51 disposed side by side in the first direction Y. At least one of the N input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, . . . , and I.sub.N) except an intermediate input port is in a one-to-one correspondence with the first prism structures 51. The output passive deflection element 402 may include a plurality of second prism structures 52 disposed side by side in the first direction Y. At least one of the M output ports (O.sub.1, O.sub.2, O.sub.3, . . . , and O.sub.M) except an intermediate output port is in a one-to-one correspondence with the second prism structures 52.
[0187] A difference from the foregoing example lies in that, as shown in
[0188] For example, when 60 wavelength channels are covered by the first prism structure 51 in the second direction X, a metasurface structure 500a may correspond to wavelengths numbered 0-20. The metasurface structure 500a can deflect an optical signal whose wavelength is in a range of the wavelengths numbered 0-20 to a direction corresponding to the intermediate output port by a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1. A metasurface structure 500b may correspond to wavelengths numbered 21-40. The metasurface structure 500b can deflect an optical signal whose wavelength is in a range of the wavelengths numbered 21-40 to the direction corresponding to the intermediate output port by the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1. A metasurface structure 500c may correspond to wavelengths numbered 41-60. The metasurface structure 500c can deflect an optical signal whose wavelength is in a range of the wavelengths numbered 41-60 to the direction corresponding to the intermediate output port by the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1.
[0189] Each metasurface structure 500 may include a plurality of nano-microcolumns 501 arranged in an array. The nano-microcolumn 501 may be made of Si, and a material of the nano-microcolumn 501 is not limited in this application. A distance P between two adjacent nano-microcolumns 501 in the first direction Y may be smaller than a center wavelength of a band corresponding to the metasurface structure 500. For example, a distance P (for example, approximately 500 nm) between two adjacent nano-microcolumns 501 in the metasurface structure 500b is smaller than a center wavelength of wavelengths numbered 21-40 of a band corresponding to the metasurface structure 500b, that is, a wavelength numbered 30 (for example, approximately 1550 nm). A smaller distance P leads to higher precision of performing phase adjustment on an optical signal by using the first prism structure 51.
[0190] In addition, area change rates of cross sections of nano-microcolumns 501 in a same row in each metasurface structure 500 are gradually reduced in the first direction Y from the edge of the input passive deflection element 302 to its center, so that area changes of the cross sections of the nano-microcolumns 501 are proportional to the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1. For example, in the first direction Y from the edge of the input passive deflection element 302 to its center, an average change rate of cross-sectional areas of the metasurface structure 500a is greater than an average change rate of cross-sectional areas of a metasurface structure 500d. The cross sections are parallel to the light incident surface (for example, an XOY surface in
[0191] It should be noted that, in
[0192] In addition, widths (parallel to the first direction Y) of light beams incident to all the first prism structures 51 are approximately the same. Therefore, to simplify a manufacturing process, nano-microcolumns 501 with a same cross-sectional area are manufactured, and quantities of nano-microcolumns 501 in all the first prism structures 51 may be the same. Certainly, in some other embodiments of this application, the quantities of nano-microcolumns 501 in all the first prism structures 51 may alternatively be different.
[0193] In this example, wavefront phase modulation implemented by using nano-microcolumns 501 with different cross-sectional areas in the metasurface structure 500 of the first prism structure 51 are the same as that implemented by using one strip-shaped triangular prism in the foregoing example. In addition, as shown in
[0194] In a process of manufacturing the input passive deflection element 302, the nano-microcolumns 501 arranged periodically may be manufactured by a photolithography process or a nano-imprinting process on a bearing plate 50 mainly composed of SiO.sub.2. Alternatively, the nano-microcolumns 501 arranged periodically may be manufactured, on a side surface of the transparent cover plate 312 in the input active deflection element 301 away from the silicon substrate 311, through precise alignment by using a micro-nano machining device.
[0195] In addition, processes of manufacturing metasurface structures in first prism structures 51 at different positions in the input passive deflection element 302 are the same as that described above, and details are not described herein again. In addition, when the quantity N of input ports is the same as the quantity M of output ports, distribution of nano-microcolumns 501 in a metasurface structure 500 of the first prism structure 51 that is in the input passive deflection element 302 and that is corresponding to the k.sup.th input port I.sub.k is the same as that of nano-microcolumns 501 in a metasurface structure 500 of the second prism structure 52 that is in the output passive deflection element 402 and that is corresponding to the k.sup.th output port O.sub.k.
[0196] When the quantity N of input ports is different from the quantity M of output ports, distribution of nano-microcolumns 501 in a metasurface structure of each second prism structure 52 in the output passive deflection element 402 needs to be separately set based on the quantity M and positions of output ports. A setting process thereof may be similar to a distribution setting manner of the nano-microcolumns 501 in the metasurface structure of the first prism structure 51 in the input passive deflection element 302, and details are not described herein again.
[0197] An embodiment of this application provides another optical selective switch 100. As shown in
[0198] As described above, the N (for example, N=3) input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, and I.sub.3) are disposed side by side in a first direction Y. Each input port is configured to receive one or more light beams as input light. In the first direction Y, at least one input port at a middle position in the N (for example, N=3) input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, and I.sub.3) may be an intermediate input port, for example, the intermediate input port I.sub.2.
[0199] In addition, the M (for example, M=3) output ports (O.sub.1, O.sub.2, and O.sub.3) may be disposed side by side in the first direction Y. Each output port is configured to output to-be-output light from the output port. In the first direction Y, at least one output port at a middle position in the M (for example, M=3) output ports (O.sub.1, O.sub.2, and O.sub.3) may be an intermediate output port, for example, the output port O.sub.3.
[0200] After light output from the input ports (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, and I.sub.3) passes through the input grating element 20a, the input grating element 20a may split input light from each input port into optical signals of different wavelengths based on a plurality of wavelength channels. In addition, the input active deflection element 301 may be a reflection-type diffraction grating shown in
[0201] Functions and structures of the input grating element 20a, the output grating element 20b, the input active deflection element 301, and the output active deflection element 401 are the same as those described above, and details are not described herein again.
[0202] Different from the optical selective switch 100 provided in the foregoing embodiment, no input passive deflection element 302 or output passive deflection element 402 needs to be disposed in the optical selective switch 100 shown in
[0203] In addition, one end that is of at least one of the M output ports except the intermediate output port and that is on the inner side of the optical selective switch, that is, one end thereof close to the output grating element 20b, is deflected to a direction corresponding to the intermediate output port. For example, when M=3, ends of the output port O.sub.1 and the output port O.sub.3 close to the output grating element 20b are deflected to the direction corresponding to the intermediate output port O.sub.2.
[0204] In some embodiments of this application, as shown in
[0205] For example, one end of the input port I.sub.1 close to the input grating element 20a is deflected to the direction corresponding to the intermediate input port I.sub.2 (downward) by the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1. One end of the input port I.sub.3 close to the input grating element 20a is deflected to the direction corresponding to the intermediate input port I.sub.2 (upward) by the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1.
[0206] In this case, when input light from the input port I.sub.1 needs to be deflected to the output port O.sub.1, the input active deflection element 301 may deflect the input light from the input port I.sub.1 upward by the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1. In addition, when the input light from the input port I.sub.1 needs to be deflected to the output port O.sub.3, the input active deflection element 301 may deflect the input light from the input port I.sub.1 downward by the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1. In this case, a maximum deflection angle of the input active deflection element 301 is the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1. Referring to the foregoing Formula (1) to Formula (3), a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of an input port may be calculated based on a sequence number of the input port. For example, first pretilt angles Δθ.sub.1 of the input port I.sub.1 and the input port I.sub.3 in
[0207] In this way, even if the input port I.sub.1 and the output port O.sub.3 are no longer in a same horizontal direction, angles at which the input active deflection element 301 deflects optical signals may all be the first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 (Δθ.sub.1=θ). It can be learned from the foregoing description that, when θ is less than 10°, for example, approximately 5°, θ≈d/L. d is a distance between light spots formed when light beams from two adjacent input ports are both incident to the input active deflection element 301. L is a distance of optical signal transmission between the input active deflection element 301 and the output active deflection element 401.
[0208] In addition, when the input light from the input port I.sub.1 needs to be deflected to the output port O.sub.3, if the output active deflection element 401 does not perform any processing on light output from the input active deflection element 301, the light passing through the output active deflection element 401 is shown in
[0209] When the quantity N of input ports is the same as the quantity M of output ports, a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of the k.sup.th input port I.sub.k is equal to a second pretilt angle Δθ.sub.2 of the k.sup.th output port O.sub.k. For example, second pretilt angles Δθ.sub.2 of the output port O.sub.1 and the output port O.sub.3 in
[0210] In this case, by deflecting some input ports and some output ports of the optical selective switch 100 to positions of the intermediate ports, angles at which the input active deflection element 301 and the output active deflection element 401 deflect incident optical signals can be reduced to increase energy of optical signals received by the output ports, thereby improving diffraction efficiency of the optical selective switch 100 during light beam deflection. In addition, because the angles at which the input active deflection element 301 and the output active deflection element 401 deflect the incident optical signals are reduced, an isolation between optical signals transmitted between different output ports can be increased.
[0211] On the other hand, when both the quantity N of input ports and the quantity M of output ports of the optical selective switch 100 are 3, maximum angles at which the input active deflection element 301 and the output active deflection element 401 deflect an input optical signal are both the angle θ. Therefore, errors of optical signals received by different output ports are the same, and signal losses generated are also the same, thereby implementing balance between a port insertion loss and port crosstalk. In this way, an amplifier may be connected to an output end of the optical selective switch 100, and errors of optical signals output from different ports are compensated by using a same amplification factor.
[0212] It should be noted that, the foregoing description is provided by using an example in which both the quantity N of input ports and the quantity M of output ports are 3. When the quantity N of input ports and the quantity M of output ports change, a setting manner of an intermediate input port and an intermediate output port is the same as that described above.
[0213] In addition, when the quantity N of input ports is greater than 3, a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 is gradually reduced in a direction from an input port at an edge to the intermediate input port. For example, when N=5, a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of the input port I.sub.1 and a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of the input port I.sub.2 are gradually reduced, and a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of the input port I.sub.5 and a first pretilt angle Δθ.sub.1 of the input port I.sub.4 are gradually reduced. When the quantity M of output ports is greater than 3, for example, when M=5, a deflection manner of output ports except the intermediate output port is the same as that described above, and details are not described herein again.
[0214] In addition, when the quantity N of input ports and the quantity M of output ports in the optical selective switch are different, the deflection manner of the output ports except the intermediate output port needs to be separately set based on the quantity M and positions of output ports. A deflection manner thereof may be similar to the deflection manner of the input ports except the intermediate input port, and details are not described herein again.
[0215] On this basis, to form a deflected input port, for example, an input port I.sub.1 and an input port I.sub.3 shown in
[0216] In this case, in some embodiments of this application, an input port or an output port formed by an optical fiber having a specific deflection angle may be glued to a substrate 70 shown in
[0217] The foregoing descriptions are only specific implementations of this application, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any variation or replacement within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.