초록 ▼

A micro-positioning system for accurately positioning an optical element relative to an optical device such as a laser diode, Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL), Resonant Cavity Photo Detector (RCPD), or some other type of optical device. The micro-positioning system is adapted to move t

A micro-positioning system for accurately positioning an optical element relative to an optical device such as a laser diode, Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL), Resonant Cavity Photo Detector (RCPD), or some other type of optical device. The micro-positioning system is adapted to move the optical element independently in both the X and Y directions. The optical element preferably has at least two regions where the optical characteristics are different. In operation, the optical element is selectively moved so that a light beam intersects a selected region of the optical element. Because the optical characteristics of the optical element are different in different regions, the optical element produces a different optical result as the light beam is moved between regions. This may be useful in a number of applications including, for example, optical alignment, optical switching including Space Division Multiplexing (SDM), Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), and Polarization Division Multiplexing (PDM).

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for selectively moving an optical element independently in both the X and Y directions relative to a base, the apparatus comprising:a carrier spaced above the base, the carrier being operatively coupled to the base such that the carrier can be selectively moved in the X direction rel

1. An apparatus for selectively moving an optical element independently in both the X and Y directions relative to a base, the apparatus comprising:a carrier spaced above the base, the carrier being operatively coupled to the base such that the carrier can be selectively moved in the X direction relative to the base but not substantially in the Y direction; and the optical element being operatively coupled to the carrier such that the optical element can be selectively moved in the Y direction relative to the carrier but not substantially in the X direction.