Adaptive beam steering implemented in a ferroelectric liquid-crystal spatial-light-modulator free-space, fiber-optic switch.
Active alignment of a 1 x 8 free-space optical switch was studied experimentally. Optical signals, carried on single-mode fibers, were switched by a ferroelectric liquid-crystal-on-silicon spatial light modulator. Continuous measurement of the in-coupled power to the fibers provided feedback for the switch control. The switch automatically located and locked to the output fibers. An advantage with adaptive switches of a similar kind is relaxed geometrical tolerances in the switch assembly. Further, such switches can adapt to possible geometrical changes and light wavelength drift during operation.
Department of Microelectronics, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden. mathias@ep.chalmers.se
Mathias
M
Johansson
Sverker
S
Hård
Brian
B
Robertson
Ilias
I
Manolis
Timothy
T
Wilkinson
William
W
Crossland