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.
Johansson
Mathias
M
Department of Microelectronics, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden. mathias@ep.chalmers.se
Hård
Sverker
S
Robertson
Brian
B
Manolis
Ilias
I
Wilkinson
Timothy
T
Crossland
William
W