GB2178869A - Optical switch having rotatable reflector - Google Patents
Optical switch having rotatable reflector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2178869A GB2178869A GB08618688A GB8618688A GB2178869A GB 2178869 A GB2178869 A GB 2178869A GB 08618688 A GB08618688 A GB 08618688A GB 8618688 A GB8618688 A GB 8618688A GB 2178869 A GB2178869 A GB 2178869A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- optical switch
- reflecting surface
- light reflecting
- light
- fibre optics
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 31
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 39
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 claims 1
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000002835 absorbance Methods 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000005350 fused silica glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N gold Chemical compound [Au] PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000010931 gold Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052737 gold Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005375 photometry Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
- G02B6/351—Optical coupling means having switching means involving stationary waveguides with moving interposed optical elements
- G02B6/3512—Optical coupling means having switching means involving stationary waveguides with moving interposed optical elements the optical element being reflective, e.g. mirror
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/28—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals
- G02B6/2804—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals forming multipart couplers without wavelength selective elements, e.g. "T" couplers, star couplers
- G02B6/2817—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals forming multipart couplers without wavelength selective elements, e.g. "T" couplers, star couplers using reflective elements to split or combine optical signals
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
- G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
- G02B6/4204—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
- G02B6/354—Switching arrangements, i.e. number of input/output ports and interconnection types
- G02B6/3544—2D constellations, i.e. with switching elements and switched beams located in a plane
- G02B6/3548—1xN switch, i.e. one input and a selectable single output of N possible outputs
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
- G02B6/3564—Mechanical details of the actuation mechanism associated with the moving element or mounting mechanism details
- G02B6/3568—Mechanical details of the actuation mechanism associated with the moving element or mounting mechanism details characterised by the actuating force
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
- G02B6/3598—Switching means directly located between an optoelectronic element and waveguides, including direct displacement of either the element or the waveguide, e.g. optical pulse generation
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
Abstract
An optical switch has a light reflecting surface 1, means 2 for rotating the light reflecting surface about an axis through the plane ofthe surface (3 Figure 2) and a plurality of fibre optics 5 located around the light reflecting surface whereby rotation of the light reflecting surface enables switching of a light source between one or more fibre optics. The light reflecting surface may be planar mirror. The rotating means may be an electric motor. A light source or detector 6 is shown. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Optical switch
The present invention relates to an optical switch for use in fibre optics systems.
It is known to use fibre optics to make photometric measurements on remote samples. For economic reasons, it is advantageous to use a single source and/or detector for a plurality of optical sensors. In order to make this possible an optical switch is required. The present invention relates to an improved optical switch which has a relatively simple design.
Thus according to the present invention there is provided an optical switch comprising a light reflecting surface, means for rotating the light reflecting surface about an axis through the plane of the surface and a plurality of fibre optics located around the light reflecting surface whereby rotation of the light reflecting surface enables switching of a light source between one or more of the fibre optics.
The light reflecting surface can be a single or a double sided mirror. The mirror can be coated depending on the wavelength of the light to be reflected. The means for rotating the light reflecting surface can be an electric motor capable of continuously rotating the surface or can be a stepping motor allowing stepwise rotation of the surface.
The plurality of fibre optics are preferably located equidistantly from the light reflecting surface and are equally spaced apart.
The optical switch as hereinbefore described may form part of a detector/analyser system. The detector/analyser system comprises a light source, an optical switch as hereinbefore described and a detector and a sample cell whereby light from the light source may be passed through the sample cell, the light being appropriately switched by the optical switch and detected.
The invention will be illustrated and further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of the optical switch according to the present invention and Figure 2 is a section taken along the line ll-ll of the optical switch shown in Figure 1.
The optical switch illustrated in the drawings comprises a light reflecting surface 1, means 2 for rotating the light reflecting surface 1 about an axis 3 and means 4 for positioning the ends of a plurality of fibres 5 about the axis 3. The box indicated by the numeral 6 may be a light source or a light detector.
The light reflecting surface 1 may be, for example, a single sided or double sided mirror. By using a double-sided mirror, fibre optics may be arranged around a substantial portion of a full circle.
Preferably, the mirror is front coated. The coating may be selected according to the wavelength of the light to be reflected e.g. gold for infra-red light or aluminium for white light.
Any suitable means 2 for rotating the light reflecting surface 1 may be used such as, for example, an electric motor. Preferably, a position indicator is associated with the light reflecting surface 1 or with the means 2 for rotating the surface 1. The position indicator may be used to provide a visual and/or electrical signal indicating the position of the light reflecting surface 1 relative to the fibre optics 5 and thus indicating the particular fibre optic 5 which is receiving or transmitting the light.
Known connectors may be used to position the fibre optics of the sensors (not shown) radially about the axis 3. Preferably, however, relatively short lengths of fibre optics 5 are fixed into the switch, and the fibre optics of the sensors may then be connected to the free ends of these relatively short lengths of fibre optics 5 by fibre to fibre connectors.
The optical switch according to the present invention may be used with any type of fibre optics such as glass fibres, fused silica fibres or liquid light guides. The fibre optics may be single fibres or bundles of fibres and may be two-channel bundles. It is also possible for more than one fibre or fibre bundle to be disposed at each radial position.
For example, a flat beam or a plurality of light sources could be used to reflect light onto rows of fibre optics arranged at each radial position.
Generally, the optical switch will be used in association with a light source. By rotation of the light reflecting surface 1, light from a light source 6 may be reflected onto the end of any particular fibre optic 5. The light reflecting surface 1 may be continuously rotated in one direction thereby reflecting the light sequentially to each fibre optic 5 or may be continuously oscillated through a selected arc. Alternatively, the light reflecting surface 1 may be rotated stepwise, e.g. using a stepping motor. In this way a particular fibre optic may be selected. The light falling upon the end of a fibre optic 5 is transmitted along the fibre optic to the sensor (not shown). The fibre optics carrying the light from the sensors can all be connected to a single detector/analyser. Thus a single light source and a single detector/analyser may be used for a plurality of sensors.
More than one light source may be used. For example, if the fibre optics are connected to absorbance sensors, a reference light source, i.e. a source of light which is not absorbed by the sample, may be positioned alongside the source of light which is absorbed by the sample. The relative spacing of the light sources would give different angles of reflection. Thus, the light which is absorbed by the sample may be reflected onto one fibre while the reference light is reflected onto a second fibre while the light reflecting surface remains in the same position.
The optical switch may also be used in association with a detector. In this case, light is transmitted in the opposite direction i.e. along a fibre optic from a source (not shown) and reflected by the light reflecting surface 1 to a detector 6.
It is also possible to use the optical switch with a light source and a detector simultaneously. A light source and a detector may be positioned such that light from the light source is reflected onto the end of a fibre optic of a sensor and light carried by another fibre optic from the same sensor is reflected by the light reflecting surface into the detector.
Thus, a single detector.analyser, a single light source and a single optical switch may be used for a plurality of sensors.
Claims (11)
1. An optical switch comprising a light reflecting surface, means for rotating the light reflecting surface about an axis through the plane of the surface and a plurality of fibre optics located around the light reflecting surface whereby rotation of the light reflecting surface enables switching of a light source between one or more of the fibre optics.
2. An optical switch according to claim 1 in which the light reflecting surface is a planar mirror.
3. An optical switch according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the rotating means is an electric motor.
4. An optical switch according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the plurality of fibre optics are equidistant from the light reflecting surface and are equally spaced apart.
5. An optical switch according to claim 2 in which the planar mirror is double sided.
6. An optical switch according to any of the preceding claims in which the light reflecting surface is coated.
7. An optical switch according to any of the preceding claims in which the fibre optics comprise a single optical fibre or a plurality of optical fibres.
8. An optical switch according to any of the preceding claims comprising sensors or detectors for sensing or detecting the light received by the fibre optics.
9. An optical switch according to any of the preceding claims comprising means indicating the orientation or position of the light reflecting surface relative to the fibre optics.
10. An optical switch as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
11. A detector/analyser system comprising a light source, an optical switch as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, a detector and a sample cell.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08618688A GB2178869A (en) | 1985-08-02 | 1986-07-31 | Optical switch having rotatable reflector |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB858519528A GB8519528D0 (en) | 1985-08-02 | 1985-08-02 | Optical switch |
| GB08618688A GB2178869A (en) | 1985-08-02 | 1986-07-31 | Optical switch having rotatable reflector |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8618688D0 GB8618688D0 (en) | 1986-09-10 |
| GB2178869A true GB2178869A (en) | 1987-02-18 |
Family
ID=26289599
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08618688A Withdrawn GB2178869A (en) | 1985-08-02 | 1986-07-31 | Optical switch having rotatable reflector |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2178869A (en) |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0270757A3 (en) * | 1986-12-08 | 1989-02-08 | Raycon Textron Inc. | Laser processing center |
| US4938555A (en) * | 1988-08-16 | 1990-07-03 | Sc Technology, Int. | Optical switch |
| EP0539021A1 (en) * | 1991-10-22 | 1993-04-28 | Puritan-Bennett Corporation | Optical signal channel selector |
| WO1999015925A1 (en) * | 1997-09-22 | 1999-04-01 | Seagate Technology, Inc. | A fiber bundle switch |
| EP0846969A3 (en) * | 1996-12-09 | 1999-12-15 | Anritsu Corporation | Optical switch capable of detecting correct switching operation |
| WO2002016996A1 (en) * | 2000-08-19 | 2002-02-28 | Bookham Technology Plc | Optical switching apparatus |
| DE10162009A1 (en) * | 2001-12-18 | 2003-07-03 | Adc Automotive Dist Control | Optical system for proximity detection in motor vehicles, uses control unit for evaluating reflection objects within observation zone |
| US7023604B2 (en) | 2000-03-25 | 2006-04-04 | Analog Devices, Inc. | Three dimensional optical switches and beam steering modules |
| EP3076213A1 (en) * | 2015-03-30 | 2016-10-05 | BAE Systems PLC | Optical selector arrangement |
| WO2016156826A1 (en) * | 2015-03-30 | 2016-10-06 | Bae Systems Plc | Optical selector arrangement |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1068884A (en) * | 1963-05-14 | 1967-05-17 | Karl Aron Lennart Akerman | Spectrophotometer |
| GB1320662A (en) * | 1972-01-06 | 1973-06-20 | Novosib I Orch Khim Sib | Spectrum analysis instrumentation |
| GB1546797A (en) * | 1976-02-19 | 1979-05-31 | Siemens Ag | Optical signal distribution systems |
| GB2014751A (en) * | 1978-02-17 | 1979-08-30 | Trw Inc | Optical switching |
| GB2015765A (en) * | 1978-03-06 | 1979-09-12 | Hughes Aircraft Co | Optical transmission system |
-
1986
- 1986-07-31 GB GB08618688A patent/GB2178869A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1068884A (en) * | 1963-05-14 | 1967-05-17 | Karl Aron Lennart Akerman | Spectrophotometer |
| GB1320662A (en) * | 1972-01-06 | 1973-06-20 | Novosib I Orch Khim Sib | Spectrum analysis instrumentation |
| GB1546797A (en) * | 1976-02-19 | 1979-05-31 | Siemens Ag | Optical signal distribution systems |
| GB2014751A (en) * | 1978-02-17 | 1979-08-30 | Trw Inc | Optical switching |
| GB2015765A (en) * | 1978-03-06 | 1979-09-12 | Hughes Aircraft Co | Optical transmission system |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| WO A1 80/02750 * |
Cited By (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0270757A3 (en) * | 1986-12-08 | 1989-02-08 | Raycon Textron Inc. | Laser processing center |
| US4938555A (en) * | 1988-08-16 | 1990-07-03 | Sc Technology, Int. | Optical switch |
| EP0539021A1 (en) * | 1991-10-22 | 1993-04-28 | Puritan-Bennett Corporation | Optical signal channel selector |
| EP0846969A3 (en) * | 1996-12-09 | 1999-12-15 | Anritsu Corporation | Optical switch capable of detecting correct switching operation |
| WO1999015925A1 (en) * | 1997-09-22 | 1999-04-01 | Seagate Technology, Inc. | A fiber bundle switch |
| US6246657B1 (en) | 1997-09-22 | 2001-06-12 | Iolon, Inc. | Fiber bundle switch |
| US7023604B2 (en) | 2000-03-25 | 2006-04-04 | Analog Devices, Inc. | Three dimensional optical switches and beam steering modules |
| GB2367145A (en) * | 2000-08-19 | 2002-03-27 | Marconi Caswell Ltd | Optical waveguide switching using rotatable deflector |
| WO2002016996A1 (en) * | 2000-08-19 | 2002-02-28 | Bookham Technology Plc | Optical switching apparatus |
| DE10162009A1 (en) * | 2001-12-18 | 2003-07-03 | Adc Automotive Dist Control | Optical system for proximity detection in motor vehicles, uses control unit for evaluating reflection objects within observation zone |
| DE10162009B4 (en) * | 2001-12-18 | 2011-12-15 | Automotive Distance Control Systems Gmbh | Optical system |
| EP3076213A1 (en) * | 2015-03-30 | 2016-10-05 | BAE Systems PLC | Optical selector arrangement |
| WO2016156826A1 (en) * | 2015-03-30 | 2016-10-06 | Bae Systems Plc | Optical selector arrangement |
| US10191219B2 (en) | 2015-03-30 | 2019-01-29 | Bae Systems Plc | Optical selector arrangement |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8618688D0 (en) | 1986-09-10 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| EP0177387B1 (en) | Arrangement for the emission and distribution of light by optical fibres, especially for spectrophotometric flow monitoring with the aid of a dual beam spectrophotometer | |
| US4962311A (en) | Device for determining the direction of incident laser radiation | |
| US4770536A (en) | Reflective photometry instrument | |
| US4459022A (en) | Fiber optic angular sensor | |
| US4645340A (en) | Optically reflective sphere for efficient collection of Raman scattered light | |
| US5644133A (en) | Remote vehicle emission analyzer with light conveyance to detectors through fiber optic light tubes | |
| US5481631A (en) | Optical switching apparatus with retroreflector | |
| US7298538B2 (en) | Rotary optical switch | |
| EP0067554A1 (en) | Improvements in or relating to the measurement of the size of particles | |
| US3954339A (en) | Angular sensor | |
| GB2178869A (en) | Optical switch having rotatable reflector | |
| CA2132111C (en) | Inspection of translucent containers | |
| US6009219A (en) | Optical beam switching device | |
| US4801212A (en) | Optical system for radiation thermometer | |
| JPH0216443B2 (en) | ||
| WO1987007381A1 (en) | Method for measuring of gloss and equipment for application of method | |
| GB2261728A (en) | Instrument for determining visual surface properties | |
| US4709146A (en) | Optically coupled shaft angle encoder | |
| JPH01321324A (en) | Spectrophotometer capable of measuring two or more samples | |
| FR2531232A1 (en) | OPTICAL SELF-DIAGRAM SYSTEM WITH IMAGING | |
| JPH0511774B2 (en) | ||
| US11656172B1 (en) | Multichannel angular spectrometer | |
| US20040114140A1 (en) | Light scattering particle characterisation apparatus and detection means suitable therefor | |
| SU823273A1 (en) | Optical electronic gage | |
| RU1825418C (en) | Photometer |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |