JPH01255826A - Optical switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the optical switch which is small in size and is low in cost by providing a foil-shaped magnetic material to one end face of a rectangular prism provided to the front end part of a rectangular strip-shaped supporting piece and providing an electromagnet which attracts the magnetic material thereto. CONSTITUTION:A square hole 12 is provided to the central part of a transparent substrate 10 and the rectangular strip-shaped supporting piece 13 and the rectangular prism 15 are provided by etching in the square hole 12. The foil-shaped magnetic material 16 is provided to either of the one end face of the prism 15 or front end part of the supporting piece 13; further, the electromagnet 20 which curves the supporting piece 13 by attracting the magnetic material 16 and switches the relative position with the intersected point of the prism 15 and the optical axis to a desired position is provided in proximity to the substrate 10. The magnetic material 16 is attracted by the electromagnet 20 when said electromagnet is operated. The prism 15 is then deviated from the optical path of a 1st optical fiber 1-1 and, therefore, the optical path can be switched. The size and cost of the switch are thereby reduced with the simple constitution without requiring the adjustment of the optical axis.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] The present invention relates to optical switches, particularly those that use prisms to switch optical paths, and provides a small, low-cost optical switch that has a simple configuration and does not require adjustment of the optical axis. For the purpose of The first optical fibers are inserted into selected grooves of the grooves of the strips and are disposed facing each other so that their optical axes coincide with each other. a second optical fiber, and an optical axis of the first optical fiber; A third optical fiber arranged perpendicularly to the optical axis of the second optical fiber, and a cantilever extending from the inner wall of the square hole facing the third optical fiber toward the intersection of the optical axes. A flexible rectangular support piece etched so as to project horizontally in the form of a beam, and two orthogonal entrance/exit surfaces are connected to the first. A right-angle prism provided at the tip of the rectangular support piece so as to be orthogonal to the optical axis of the third optical fiber, and one end surface of the right-angle prism.

Alternatively, by adsorbing a foil-like magnetic material provided on one end face of the tip of the rectangular support piece and the magnetic body, the rectangular support piece is curved, and the intersection of the rectangular prism and the optical axis is The structure includes an electromagnet that can change the position relative to the magnet as desired.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to an optical switch, and particularly to an optical switch that uses a prism to switch an optical path.

As optical fibers are widely used as optical transmission lines, optical switches installed between these optical fibers are also required to be small and low in cost.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a conventional optical switch. Second. A fiber lens assembly 3 is provided at each end of the third three optical fibers 1-L 1-2.1-3.

To be more specific, a stepped hole is provided in the axis of the cylindrical holder 4, the end of the optical fiber is inserted into one small diameter part, and the lens 2 is inserted into the other large diameter part, so that the fiber A lens assembly is configured, and the light emitted from the optical fiber is output as a parallel beam, or the light incident from the lens 2 side is focused,
It is made to enter the optical fiber.

7 is a box-shaped case made of metal; a fiber lens assembly 3-1 with a first optical fiber 1-1 attached thereto is attached to a selected side wall of the case 7; , a fiber lens assembly 3-2 having a second optical fiber 1-21i attached thereto is arranged so that its optical axis coincides with the optical axis of the fiber lens assembly 3-1.

Also, on this side wall, a fiber lens assembly 3-
A fiber lens assembly 3-3, which is equipped with a third optical fiber 1-3, is installed so as to be horizontally parallel to the optical fiber 2.

On the optical axis of the first optical fiber 1-1, the second... A rhombic prism 5 is attached so as to span the front surface of the third optical fiber 1-2.1-3.

By driving an electromagnet (not shown) and moving the mounting position of the rhombic prism 5 up and down, the optical path of the emitted light from the first optical fiber 1-1 is changed to the direction of the second optical fiber 1-2, Alternatively, it is designed to switch to the third optical fiber 1-3 direction.

In detail, a pair of guide columns 6 are provided perpendicularly to the bottom plate of the case 7 so that the vertical end surfaces of the rhombic prism 5 are guided, and a magnetic plate is fixed to the lower surface of the rhombic prism 5. An electromagnet (
(not shown) is attached.

Further, a compression coil spring (not shown) is installed below the rhombic prism 5 to lift and hold the rhombic prism 5 at the height of the optical axis.

Since the structure is as described above, when the electromagnet is not activated, the emitted light from the first optical fiber 1-1 enters the rhombic prism 5, as shown in FIG.
The light beams are reflected by the two oblique sides of the light beam, change the optical path twice by 90 degrees, and enter the third optical fiber 1-3.

Now, when the rhombic prism 5 is lowered by driving the electromagnet, the first optical fiber 1-1 and the second optical fiber 1-2
Since the rhombic prism 5 is removed from the optical axis, the light emitted from the first optical fiber 1-1 travels straight and enters the second optical fiber 1-2.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, the conventional optical switch described above has a problem in that the optical axis adjustment work of the optical fiber system is complicated and time-consuming.

In addition, the prism-based guide mechanism is complicated, which not only becomes an obstacle to miniaturization, but also increases the cost.

The present invention was created in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a small, low-cost optical switch that has a simple configuration and does not require adjustment of the optical axis.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. and set it up.

On the other hand, three grooves 11-1, 11-2, and 11-3 are provided on the surface of the transparent substrate 100, intersecting in a T-shape at the center of the square hole 12, so that the input and output end surfaces coincide with the inner wall of the square hole 12. Insert the first optical fiber 1-1 into the groove 11-1, the second optical fiber 1-2 into the groove 11-2, and the third optical fiber 1-3 into the groove 11-3 as shown in FIG. .

The rectangular support piece 13 is provided so as to project horizontally in a cantilevered manner from the inner wall of the square hole 12 facing the third optical fiber 1-3 toward the intersection of the optical axes.

In addition, the rectangular prism 15 has two entrance and exit surfaces that are perpendicular to each other at the tip of the rectangular support piece 13. third optical fiber 1
-1.1-3 shall be provided so as to be perpendicular to the optical axes.

Further, a foil-like magnetic material 16 is provided on one end surface of the right angle prism 15 or one end surface of the tip of the rectangular support piece 13.

Furthermore, by adsorbing the magnetic body 16, the electromagnet 2o, which curves the rectangular support piece 13 and switches the relative position between the right angle prism 15 and the intersection of the optical axis as desired, is attached to the transparent substrate 1.
The configuration is such that it is provided close to 0.

[Effect]

According to the present invention, the two orthogonal entrance and exit surfaces are the first.
They are perpendicular to the optical axes of the third optical fibers 1-1, 1-3, respectively. Therefore, the light emitted from the first optical fiber 1-1 enters the right-angle prism 15, is reflected by the hypotenuse surface, changes its optical path by 90 degrees, and enters the third optical fiber 1-3.

Now, when the electromagnet 20 is activated, a force that attracts the magnetic body 16 is generated, and the strip-shaped support piece 13 is bent.

As a result, the right angle prism 15 connects the first optical fiber 1-1.
is off the optical path. Therefore, the first optical fiber 1
The emitted light -1 travels straight and enters the second optical fiber 1-2.

That is, by driving the electromagnet 20, the optical path can be switched as desired.

The grooves, square holes, rectangular support pieces, and rectangular prisms described above are provided by etching the transparent substrate, and therefore have high precision. Therefore, there is no need for optical axis adjustment between the optical fibers or between the optical fibers and the rectangular prism.

Further, the position of the rectangular prism is moved by the attraction force of the electromagnet 20 to switch the optical path, and the electromagnet 20 is further turned off.
The rectangular prism is returned to its original position by the restoring force of the rectangular support piece 13. That is, the number of constituent elements is reduced, facilitating miniaturization.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals indicate the same objects throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
), (a-2), (b-1), and (b-2) are optical path diagrams of embodiments of the present invention, respectively, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of essential parts of another embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a rectangular transparent substrate made of, for example, a glass plate and having a thickness of several cranes.

A square hole 12 is provided in the center of the transparent substrate 10, and a rectangular support piece 13 and a right angle prism 15 are etched into the square hole 12.

On the other hand, on the surface of the transparent substrate 10, a pair of U-shaped (or V-shaped) grooves 11-1. A third U-shaped (or V-shaped) groove 11 is provided by etching, and the axial center of the square hole 12 is perpendicular to the axial center of the groove.
-3 is etched, and the first optical fiber 1 is placed in the groove 11-1 so that the input and output end faces coincide with the inner wall of the square hole 12.
-1 to the groove 11-2, the second optical fiber 1-2 to the groove 11-2, and the second optical fiber 1-2 to the groove 11-2.
A third optical fiber 1-3 is inserted into 1-3.

Note that these optical fibers are single mode optical fibers.

The rectangular support piece 13 is provided so as to protrude horizontally from the inner wall of the square hole 12 facing the third optical fiber 1-3 in a cantilever shape toward the intersection of the optical axes. This rectangular support piece 13
The thickness is about 10 μm, and it can be elastically deformed and bent in the vertical direction.

The rectangular prism 15 protrudes from the upper surface of the tip of the rectangular support piece 13 with a thickness of about 20 μm, and has two orthogonal entrance and exit surfaces. Third optical fiber 1-1.1-
They are arranged so as to be perpendicular to the optical axes of No. 3 and 3, respectively.

A foil-like magnetic material 16 is provided on the upper end surface of the right angle prism 15 by adhering a nickel foil or forming a nickel film by vapor deposition.

Furthermore, an electromagnet 20 is installed on the top of the transparent substrate 10 at a position corresponding to the square hole 12, so that the electromagnet 20 attracts the magnetic body 16 when the coil is energized.

As mentioned above, since the two orthogonal entrance and exit surfaces of the right angle prism 15 are perpendicular to the optical axis of the first optical fiber 1-1 and the optical axis of the third optical fiber 1-3, Second
As shown in (a-1) and (a-2) in the figure, the first
The light emitted from the optical fiber 1-1 passes through the right angle prism 1.
5, is reflected by the hypotenuse surface of the right angle prism 15, and becomes 9.
It changes its optical path by 0 degrees and enters the third optical fiber 1-3.

Now, when the electromagnet 20 is activated, the result is shown in Fig. 2 (b-1).
, As shown in (b-2), the magnetic body 16 is attracted and the rectangular support piece 13 curves upward and bends. As a result, the right angle prism 15 moves upward away from the optical axis of the first optical fiber 1-1. Therefore, the first optical fiber 1
The emitted light -1 enters the tip of the rectangular support piece 13 (below the rectangular prism 15), that is, the side surface of the rectangular support piece 13 having parallel boundary surfaces at a right angle, and is transmitted through the rectangular support piece 13. The light then travels straight and enters the second optical fiber 1-2.

That is, by driving the electromagnet 20, the optical path can be switched as desired.

Furthermore, when the electromagnet 20 is disconnected, the rectangular support piece 13 returns, so the right angle prism 15 returns to its original position, and the first
The light emitted from the optical fiber 1-1 is transmitted to the third optical fiber 1-1.
3.

As described above, when the rectangular prism 15 is provided on the upper surface of the tip of the rectangular support piece 13, when the optical path is switched, the light passes through the rectangular support piece 13 having the same refractive index as the rectangular prism 15. Therefore, there is an advantage that the optical path length does not change even if the optical path is switched.

As shown in FIG. 3, the right angle prism 15 is provided at a position where it projects horizontally from the tip of the rectangular support piece 13 and has a thickness equal to the plate thickness of the rectangular support piece 13.
may be provided.

A rectangular prism as shown in FIG. 3 has the advantage of being easy to form by etching.

When the entrance and exit surfaces of each optical fiber are made flat as shown in Figure 1, the refractive index of the right-angle prism is 1.
．． 5 and the distance between the end faces of the optical fibers is 30 μm, the insertion loss of the optical switch can be suppressed to about 0°25 dB.

Note that if the input and output surfaces of the optical fibers are made spherical or conical, the optical switch can have the same insertion loss even if the distance between the end faces of the optical fibers is further increased.

As mentioned above, the present invention relates to grooves and square holes, respectively.

Since the rectangular support piece and the right angle prism are provided by etching the transparent substrate, their accuracy is high. Therefore, not only is there no need for optical axis adjustment between the optical fibers or between the optical fiber and the rectangular prism, but
The number of constituent elements is small, making it easy to promote miniaturization.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention is an optical switch in which a transparent substrate is etched and a rectangular prism is provided at the tip of a flexible rectangular support piece, and the structure is simple and the optical axis can be adjusted. It has excellent practical effects, such as being unnecessary, small in size, and low in cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 (a-1), (a-2), (b-1),
(b-2) is an optical path diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of a conventional example. In the figure, 1-1 is a first optical fiber, 1-2 is a second optical fiber, 1-3 is a third optical fiber, 3 is a fiber/lens assembly, 5 is a rhombic prism, and 10 is a transparent substrate. , 11-1.11-2.11-3 is a groove, 12 is a square hole, 13 is a rectangular support piece, 15 is a right-angled prism, 16 is a magnetic body, and 20 is an electromagnet. A (child 56 month's actual gf dali 6 ri y each mouth 2n 薯4m

Claims (1)

[Claims] A rectangular hole (12) etched in the center of the transparent substrate (10), and a rectangular hole (12) formed in the transparent substrate (10) so that each input/output end face coincides with an inner wall of the rectangular hole (12). (10) are inserted into selected grooves of three T-shaped grooves (11-1, 11-2, 11-3) provided on the surface of the first and second optical fibers (1-1, 1-2) installed;
and a third optical fiber (1-3) arranged such that its optical axis is perpendicular to the optical axes of the first and second optical fibers, and the square hole facing the third optical fiber. (12) A flexible rectangular supporting piece (12) is etched to protrude horizontally in the form of a cantilever from the inner wall of the optical axis toward the intersection of the optical axes.
3), and the rectangular support piece (13
), and a foil-shaped magnetic foil provided on one end face of the right angle prism 1 (15) or on one end face of the end of the rectangular support piece (13). body (16), and an electromagnet that bends the rectangular support piece (13) by adsorbing the magnetic body (16) and switches the relative position between the rectangular prism (15) and the intersection of the optical axis as desired. (20)
An optical switch characterized by comprising: