Optomechanics of a free-space photonic switch: the components

John L. Brubaker; Frederick B. McCormick Jr.; Frank A. P. Tooley; Jose M. Sasian; Thomas J. Cloonan; Anthony L. Lentine; Stephen J. Hinterlong; Michael J. Herron

doi:10.1117/12.48845

1 December 1991 Optomechanics of a free-space photonic switch: the components

John L. Brubaker, Frederick B. McCormick Jr., Frank A. P. Tooley, Jose M. Sasian, Thomas J. Cloonan, Anthony L. Lentine, Stephen J. Hinterlong, Michael J. Herron

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 1533, Optomechanics and Dimensional Stability; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.48845
Event: San Diego, '91, 1991, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

We will discuss the optomechanical design of components used for free space optical switch prototypes built to develop potential solutions for the high-speed digital switching problems of bandwidth, interconnection, and density. In our free space optical switching fabrics, arrays of light beams propagate between array of optical transceiver devices called Symmetric Self Electro-Optic Effect Device (S-SEED). These arrays have been operated with more than a thousand beams incident on device windows typically 5 microns in diameter. To image the arrays required high resolution optics, tight component tolerances, and stable mounting techniques. This paper explains the optomechanical design and construction of the components of the free space optical switching fabric, designed under requirements of small size, high resolution of movement, mechanical stability, and minimal cost. Comparisons are made between two versions of experimental components, including S-SEED mounts and mounting plates.

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John L. Brubaker, Frederick B. McCormick Jr., Frank A. P. Tooley, Jose M. Sasian, Thomas J. Cloonan, Anthony L. Lentine, Stephen J. Hinterlong, and Michael J. Herron "Optomechanics of a free-space photonic switch: the components", Proc. SPIE 1533, Optomechanics and Dimensional Stability, (1 December 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.48845

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