Optical space switch and network for such optical space switches

Claim 2

An optical space switch comprising: polarization control means having first and second modes, for receiving input light and outputting said input light so that a polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode; polarization beam splitter means for passing said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a first polarization to thereby output a first light and for reflecting said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a second polarization substantially perpendicular to said first polarization to thereby output a second light, said polarization control means being positioned on a first side of said polarization beam splitter means; first reflection means, positioned on a second side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting one of said first light and said second light so that a light path of said one of said first light and said second light is shifted in a plane and the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a first reflected light; and second reflection means, positioned on a third side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting said first reflected light supplied from said first reflection means via said polarization beam splitter means so that a polarization of said first reflected light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a second reflected light; wherein: the other one of said first light and said second light enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a first light output, from a fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; said second reflected light from said second reflection means enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a second light output, from the fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; and said first light output has a light path which is different from that of said second light output.

Claim 3

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first reflection means comprises: a quarter wave plate arranged perpendicular to said one of said first light and said second light so that an optical axis of said quarter wave plate is included at approximately 45° with respect to the direction of the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light; and a light path changing element which shifts said one of said first light and said second light from said quarter wave plate in a predetermined direction including said plane by a predetermined distance.

Claim 4

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein said light path changing element comprises: a prism having a cross-sectional portion having an isosceles triangle shape; and a reflection mirror facing said prism.

Claim 5

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 3, wherein said prism comprises: a triangle-shaped portion having said cross-sectional portion having the isosceles triangle shape; and a rectangular parallelepiped portion integrally formed with said triangle-shaped portion.

Claim 6

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said light path changing element comprises a prism having a cross section consisting of a first cross-sectional portion having an isosceles triangle shape and a second cross-selection portion having a rectangular shape; and said prism has a surface on which a reflection coating layer is formed.

Claim 7

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said light path changing element comprises a transparent graded index element having a one-dimensional symmetry distribution of refractive index in said predetermined direction in which said one of said first light and said second light is shifted; and said transparent graded index element has a surface on which a reflection coating layer is formed.

Claim 8

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein said light path changing element comprises: a diffraction grating; and a reflection mirror facing said diffraction grating.

Claim 9

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second reflection means comprises: a quarter wave plate arranged perpendicular to said first reflected light so that an optical axis of said quarter wave plate is inclined at approximately 45° with respect to the direction of polarization of said first reflected light; and a reflection mirror which reflects said first reflected light from said quarter wave plate.

Claim 10

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said first side of said polarization beam splitter means and said fourth side thereof are opposite to each other; and said second side of said polarization beam splitter means and said third side thereof are opposite to each other.

Claim 11

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said first side of said polarization beam splitter means and said second side thereof are opposite to each other; and said third side of said polarization beam splitter means and said fourth side thereof are opposite to each other.

Claim 12

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said first side of said polarization beam splitter means and said third side thereof are opposite to each other; and said second side of said polarization beam splitter means and said fourth side thereof are opposite to each other.

Claim 13

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said polarization control means comprises an array composed of a plurality of polarization controllers; and said input light comprises a plurality of light inputs respectively related to said plurality of polarization controllers.

Claim 14

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 12, wherein said plurality of polarization controllers are arranged in a line.

Claim 15

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 12, wherein said plurality of polarization controllers are arranged into rows and columns.

Claim 16

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first reflection means comprises: a quarter wave plate arranged perpendicular to said one of said first light and said second light so that an optical axis of said quarter wave plate is inclined at approximately 45° with respect to the direction of the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light; a light path changing member having a plurality of prism portions arranged side by side, each of said plurality of prism portions having a cross-sectional portion having an isosceles triangle shape; and a reflection mirror facing said light path changing member.

Claim 17

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first reflection means comprises: a quarter wave plate arranged perpendicular to said one of said first light and said second light so that an optical axis of said quarter wave plate is inclined at approximately 45° with respect to the direction of the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light; a prism having a single prism portion having a cross section having an isosceles triangle shape; and a reflection mirror facing said prism.

Claim 18

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said polarization control means comprises a transparent type polarization controller which passes said input light so that the polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode.

Claim 19

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said polarization control means comprises a reflection type polarization controller which reflects said input light so that the polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode.

Claim 20

An optical space switch comprising: polarization control means having first and second modes, for receiving input light and outputting said input light so that a polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode; first polarization beam splitter means for passing said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a first polarization to thereby output a first light and for reflecting said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a second polarization substantially perpendicular to said first polarization to thereby output a second light, said polarization control means being positioned on a first side of said first polarization beam splitter means; first reflection means, positioned on a second side of said first polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting one of said first light and said second light to thereby output a first reflected light; light path changing means for shifting a light path of said first reflected light in a plane; second reflection means for reflecting one of said first reflected light output from said light path changing means and said input light output via a third side of said first polarization beam splitter means to thereby output a second reflected light; and second polarization beam splitter means for passing one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light and for reflecting the other one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light, wherein: said one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light is a first light output having a light path; and the other one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light is a second light output having a light path different from that of said first light output.

Claim 21

An optical space switch comprising: polarization control means having first and second modes, for receiving input light and outputting said input light so that a polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode; first polarization beam splitter means for passing said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a first polarization to thereby output a first light and for reflecting said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a second polarization substantially perpendicular to said first polarization to thereby output a second light, said polarization control means being positioned on a first side of said first polarization beam splitter means; first reflection means, positioned on a second side of said first polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting one of said first light and said second light to thereby output a first reflected light; light path changing means for shifting a light path of said first reflected light in a plane; second reflection means for reflecting one of said first reflected light output from said light path changing means and said input light output via a third side of said first polarization beam splitter means to thereby output a second reflected light; and second polarization beam splitter means for passing one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light and for reflecting the other one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light, wherein: said one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light is a first light output having a light path; and the other one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light is a second light output having a light path different from that of said first light output.

Claim 22

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 19, wherein said light path changing means comprises: a first prism having a cross-sectional portion of an isosceles triangle shape; and a second prism having a cross-sectional portion of an isosceles triangle shape, said first prism facing said second prism.

Claim 23

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 19, wherein: said light path changing means comprises a prism having a first isosceles triangle shaped member, a second isosceles triangle shaped member, and a rectangular parallelepiped having two opposite surfaces on which said first isosceles triangle shaped member and said second isosceles triangle shaped member are respectively mounted; and said first isosceles triangle shaped member, said second isosceles triangle shaped member and said rectangular parallelepiped are integrally formed.

Claim 24

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 19, wherein said light path changing means comprises a transparent graded index element having a one-dimensional symmetry distribution of a refractive index in a direction in which said first reflected light is shifted.

Claim 25

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 19, wherein said light path changing element comprises: a first diffraction grating; and a second diffraction grating facing said first diffraction grating.

Claim 26

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 19, wherein: said polarization control means comprises an array composed of a plurality of polarization controllers; and said input light comprises a plurality of light inputs respectively related to said plurality of polarization controllers.

Claim 27

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 24, wherein said plurality of polarization controllers are arranged in a line.

Claim 28

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 24, wherein said plurality of polarization controllers are arranged into rows and columns.

Claim 29

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 19, wherein said second reflection means is positioned so that said first reflection means, said light path changing means and said second reflection means are arranged in a line.

Claim 30

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 19, wherein said second polarization beam splitter means is positioned so that said first reflection means, said light path changing means and said second polarization beam splitter means are arranged in a line.

Claim 31

An optical space switch comprising: a first one-dimensional optical space switch which switches light paths in a first plane; and a second one-dimensional optical switch which switches light paths in a second plane, and wherein each of said first and second one-dimensional optical space switch comprises: polarization control means having first and second modes, for receiving input light and outputting said input light so that a polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode; polarization beam splitter means for passing said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a first polarization to thereby output a first light and for reflecting said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a second polarization substantially perpendicular to said first polarization to thereby output a second light, said polarization control means being positioned on a first side of said polarization beam splitter means; first reflection means, positioned on a second side of said polarization beam splitter means, for a reflecting one of said first light and second light so that a light path of said one of said first light and said second light is shifted in a corresponding one of said first and second planes and the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a first reflected light; and second reflection means, positioned on a third side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting said first reflected light supplied from said first reflection means via said polarization beam splitter means so that a polarization of said first reflected light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a second reflected light; wherein: the other one of said first light and said second light enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a first light output, from a fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; said second reflected light from said second reflection means enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a second light output, from the fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; said first light output has a light path which is different from that of said second light output; and said first light output and said second light output related to said first one-dimensional optical space switch are applied, as said input light, to said second one-dimensional optical space switch.

Claim 32

An optical space switch comprising: a first one-dimensional optical space switch which switches light paths in a first plane; and a second one-dimensional optical switch which switches light paths in a second plane, and wherein each of said first and second one-dimensional optical space switch comprises: polarization control means having first and second modes, for receiving input light and outputting said input light so that a polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode; polarization beam splitter means for passing said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a first polarization to thereby output a first light and for reflecting said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a second polarization substantially perpendicular to said first polarization to thereby output a second light, said polarization control means being positioned on a first side of said polarization beam splitter means; first reflection means, positioned on a second side of said polarization beam splitter means, for a reflecting one of said first light and second light so that a light path of said one of said first light and said second light is shifted in a corresponding one of said first and second planes and the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a first reflected light; and second reflection means, positioned on a third side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting said first reflected light supplied from said first reflection means via said polarization beam splitter means so that a polarization of said first reflected light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a second reflected light; wherein: the other one of said first light and said second light enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a first light output, from a fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; said second reflected light from said second reflection means enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a second light output, from the fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; said first light output has a light path which is different from that of said second light output; and said first light output and said second light output related to said first one-dimensional optical space switch are applied, as said input light, to said second one-dimensional optical space switch.

Claim 33

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 29, wherein: said polarization control means of each of said first and second one-dimensional optical space switches comprises an array composed of polarization controllers arranged in rows and columns, wherein first reflection means of each of said first and second one-dimensional optical space switches comprises: a quarter wave plate arranged perpendicular to said one of said first light and said second light so that an optical axis of said quarter wave plate is inclined at approximately 45° with respect to the direction of the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light; and a light path changing element which shifts said one of said first light and said second light from said quarter wave plate in said corresponding one of said first and second planes by a predetermined distance.

Claim 34

An optical space switch comprising: a first one dimensional optical space switch which switches light paths in a first plane; and a second one-dimensional optical switch which switches light paths in a second plane, and wherein each of said first and second one-dimensional optical space switch comprises: polarization control means having first and second modes, for receiving input light and outputting said input light so that a polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode; first polarization beam splitter means for passing said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a first polarization to thereby output a first light and for reflecting said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a second polarization substantially perpendicular to said first polarization to thereby output a second light, said polarization control means being positioned on a first side of said first polarization beam splitter means; first reflection means, positioned on a second side of said first polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting one of said first light and said second light to thereby output a first reflected light; light path changing means for shifting a light path of said first reflected light in a corresponding one of said first and second planes; second reflection means for reflecting one of said first reflected light output form said light path changing means and said input light output via a third side of said first polarization beam splitter means to thereby output a second reflected light; and second polarization beam splitter means for passing one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light and for reflecting the other one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light; wherein: said one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light is a first light output having a light path; the other one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light is a second light output having a light path different from that of said first light output; and said first light output and said second light output related to said first one-dimensional optical space switch are applied, as said input light, to said second one-dimensional optical space switch.

Claim 35

An optical space switch comprising: a first one dimensional optical space switch which switches light paths in a first plane; and a second one-dimensional optical switch which switches light paths in a second plane, and wherein each of said first and second one-dimensional optical space switch comprises: polarization control means having first and second modes, for receiving input light and outputting said input light so that a polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode; first polarization beam splitter means for passing said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a first polarization to thereby output a first light and for reflecting said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a second polarization substantially perpendicular to said first polarization to thereby output a second light, said polarization control means being positioned on a first side of said first polarization beam splitter means; first reflection means, positioned on a second side of said first polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting one of said first light and said second light to thereby output a first reflected light; light path changing means for shifting a light path of said first reflected light in a corresponding one of said first and second planes; second reflection means for reflecting one of said first reflected light output form said light path changing means and said input light output via a third side of said first polarization beam splitter means to thereby output a second reflected light; and second polarization beam splitter means for passing one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light and for reflecting the other one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light; wherein: said one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light is a first light output having a light path; the other one of said first reflected light from said light path changing means and said second reflected light is a second light output having a light path different from that of said first light output; and said first light output and said second light output related to said first one-dimensional optical space switch are applied, as said input light, to said second one-dimensional optical space switch.

Claim 36

An optical network comprising: n optical space switches which are cascaded, where n is an integer equal to or larger than 2; each of said n optical space switches comprising: polarization control means having first and second modes, for receiving input light and outputting said input light so that a polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode, said polarization control means comprising an array of a plurality of polarization controllers arranged into a line, said input light having a plurality of light inputs respectively related to said polarization controllers; polarization beam splitter means for passing said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a first polarization to thereby output a first light and for reflecting said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a second polarization substantially perpendicular to said first polarization to thereby output a second light, said polarization control means being positioned on a first side of said polarization beam splitter means; first reflection means, positioned on a second side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting one of said first light and said second light so that a light path of said one of said first light and said second light is shifted in a plane and the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a first reflected light; and second reflection means, positioned on a third side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting said first reflected light supplied from said first reflection means via said polarization beam splitter means so that a polarization of said first reflected light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a second reflected light; wherein: the other one of said first light and second light enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a first light output, from a fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; said second reflected light from said second reflection means enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a second light output, from the fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; said first light output has a light path which is different from that of said second light output; and said first light output and said second light output related to an i-th optical space switch (i=2, 3, . . . , n) are supplied, as said input light, to said (i+1)th optical space switch.

Claim 37

An optical network comprising: n optical space switches which are cascaded, where n is an integer equal to or larger than 2; each of said n optical space switches comprising: polarization control means having first and second modes, for receiving input light and outputting said input light so that a polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode, said polarization control means comprising an array of a plurality of polarization controllers arranged into a line, said input light having a plurality of light inputs respectively related to said polarization controllers; polarization beam splitter means for passing said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a first polarization to thereby output a first light and for reflecting said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a second polarization substantially perpendicular to said first polarization to thereby output a second light, said polarization control means being positioned on a first side of said polarization beam splitter means; first reflection means, positioned on a second side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting one of said first light and said second light so that a light path of said one of said first light and said second light is shifted in a plane and the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a first reflected light; and second reflection means, positioned on a third side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting said first reflected light supplied from said first reflection means via said polarization beam splitter means so that a polarization of said first reflected light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a second reflected light; wherein: the other one of said first light and second light enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a first light output, from a fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; said second reflected light from said second reflection means enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a second light output, from the fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; said first light output has a light path which is different from that of said second light output; and said first light output and said second light output related to an i-th optical space switch (i=2, 3, . . . , n) are supplied, as said input light, to said (i+1)th optical space switch.

Claim 38

An optical network as claimed in claim 32, wherein: said plurality of light inputs comprises 2 n light inputs: said first reflection means comprises a quarter wave plate arranged perpendicular to said one of said first light and said second light so that an optical axis of said quarter wave plate is inclined at approximately 45° with respect to the direction of polarization of said one of said first light and said second light, and a light path changing element which shifts said one of said first light and said second light from said quarter wave plate in a predetermined direction including said plane by a predetermined distance; said light path changing means of the i-th optical space switch comprises an array of 2 1-1 light path changing elements arranged in a line; .sup. n-i+1 light inputs among said 2 n light inputs are applied to each of said 2 i-1 light path changing elements of the i-th optical space switch; and each of said 2 i-1 light path changing elements switches light paths which are spaced apart from each other by a factor of 2 n-1 .

Claim 39

An optical network as claimed in claim 33, wherein said light path changing means of the i-th optical space switch comprises a prism having said array composed of the 2 i-1 light path changing elements.

Claim 40

An optical network as claimed in claim 33, wherein said optical network is an optical Banyan network.

Claim 41

An optical space switch comprising: polarization control means having first and second modes, for receiving input light and outputting said input light so that a polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode, said polarization control means comprising an array composed of a plurality of polarization controllers; polarization beam splitter means for passing said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a first polarization to thereby output a first light and for reflecting said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a second polarization substantially perpendicular to said first polarization to thereby output a second light, said input light from said polarization control means entering said polarization beam splitter means via a first side thereof; first reflection means, positioned on a second side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting one of said first light and said second light so that a light path of said one of said first light and said second light is shifted in a first plane and the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a first reflected light; and second reflection means, positioned on a third side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting said first reflected light supplied from said first reflection means via said polarization beam splitter means so that a polarization of said first reflected light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a second reflected light; wherein: the other one of said first light and said second light enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a first light output, from a fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means, said second reflected light from said second reflection means enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a second light output, from the fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; and said first light output has a light path which is different from that of said second light output, and wherein said optical space switch further comprises light circulating means for circulating said first and second light outputs with respect to said input light so that said first and second light outputs are repeatedly input to said polarization beam splitter means via said polarization control means and light paths of said first and second light outputs are shifted in a predetermined direction and for finally outputting said first and second light outputs in a second plane in which said input light is included.

Claim 42

An optical space switch comprising: polarization control means having first and second modes, for receiving input light and outputting said input light so that a polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode, said polarization control means comprising an array composed of a plurality of polarization controllers; polarization beam splitter means for passing said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a first polarization to thereby output a first light and for reflecting said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a second polarization substantially perpendicular to said first polarization to thereby output a second light, said input light from said polarization control means entering said polarization beam splitter means via a first side thereof; first reflection means, positioned on a second side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting one of said first light and said second light so that a light path of said one of said first light and said second light is shifted in a first plane and the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a first reflected light; and second reflection means, positioned on a third side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting said first reflected light supplied from said first reflection means via said polarization beam splitter means so that a polarization of said first reflected light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a second reflected light; wherein: the other one of said first light and said second light enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a first light output, from a fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means, said second reflected light from said second reflection means enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a second light output, from the fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; and said first light output has a light path which is different from that of said second light output, and wherein said optical space switch further comprises light circulating means for circulating said first and second light outputs with respect to said input light so that said first and second light outputs are repeatedly input to said polarization beam splitter means via said polarization control means and light paths of said first and second light outputs are shifted in a predetermined direction and for finally outputting said first and second light outputs in a second plane in which said input light is included.

Claim 43

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 36, wherein said light circulating means comprises first, second, third and fourth reflection elements which are arranged so that said first and second light outputs are circulated via said polarization control means and said polarization beam splitter means.

Claim 44

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 37, wherein said polarization control means is interposed between said first reflection element positioned on said first side of said polarization beam splitter means and said fourth reflection element.

Claim 45

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 37, wherein said polarization control means is interposed between said first reflection element positioned on said first side of said polarization beam splitter means and said polarization beam splitter means.

Claim 46

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 36, wherein said first reflection means comprises: a quarter wave plate arranged perpendicular to said one of said light and said second light so that an optical axis of said quarter wave plate is inclined at approximately 45° with respect to the direction of the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light; and a light path changing element which shifts said one of said first light and said second light from said quarter wave plate in a predetermined direction including said plane by a predetermined distance.

Claim 47

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 40, wherein: said light path changing element comprises a prism unit which has first, second and third stages arranged in a first direction; said first stage has a first prism having a first size and a first cross section of a first isosceles triangle shape; said second stage has a second prism and a third prism arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, each of said first prism and said second prism having a second cross section with a second isosceles triangle shape having a second size half that of said first prism; said third stage has a fourth prism, a fifth prism, a sixth prism and a seventh prism which are arranged side by side in said second direction, each of said fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh prisms having a third cross section with a third isosceles triangle shape having a third size half that of each of said second and third prisms; said first through seventh prisms have one of respective surfaces arranged on an identical plane; and said prism unit has a reflection coating layer provided on the one of said respective surfaces of said first through seventh prisms, so that said optical space switch functions as an optical Banyan network.

Claim 48

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 41, wherein said one of said first light and said second light passes through one of said first, second and third stages in a predetermined order each time said input light is circulated.

Claim 49

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 40, wherein: said light path changing element comprises a prism unit which has first, second, third and fourth stages arranged in a first direction; said first stage has a first prism having a first size and a first cross section of a first isosceles triangle shape; said second stage has a second prism and a third prism arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, each of said second prism and said third prism having a second cross section with a second isosceles triangle shape having a second size half that of said first prism; said third stage has a fourth prism and a fifth prism which are arranged side by side in said second direction, each of said fourth and fifth prisms having the second size; said fourth stage has a sixth prism, a seventh prism, an eight prism and a ninth prism which are arranged side by side in said second direction, each of said sixth through ninth prisms having a third cross section with a third isosceles triangle shape having a third size half that of each of said second through fifth prisms; said first through ninth prisms having one of respective surfaces arranged on an identical plane; and said prism unit has a reflection coating layer provided on the one of said respective surfaces of said first through ninth prisms, so that said optical space switch functions as a non-blocking optical Banyan network.

Claim 50

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 40, wherein: said light path changing element comprises a mirror unit which has first, second and third stages arranged in a first direction; said first stage has a pair of mirror surfaces having a first size, arranged perpendicular to each other; said second stage has two pairs of mirror surfaces arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, each of said two pairs of mirror surfaces being arranged perpendicular to each other, and each of said mirror surfaces of said two pairs having a second size half that of each of said pair of mirror surfaces of said first stage; said third stage has four pairs of mirror surfaces arranged side by side in said second direction, each of said four pairs of mirror surfaces being arranged perpendicular to each other, and each of said mirror surfaces of said four pairs having a third size half that of each of said two parts of mirror surfaces of said a second stage, so that said optical space switch functions as an optical crossover switch.

Claim 51

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 36, wherein said second reflection means comprises: a quarter wave plate arranged perpendicular to said first reflected light so that an optical axis of said quarter wave plate is inclined at approximately 45° with respect to the direction of the polarization of said first reflected light; and a reflection mirror which reflects said first reflected light from said quarter wave plate.

Claim 52

An optical space switch comprising: a first one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switch in which light is shifted in a first plane; a second one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switch in which light is shifted in a second plane perpendicular to said first plane; and coupling means for optically coupling said first and second one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switches with each other, wherein each of said first and second one-dimensional optical space switches comprises: polarization control means having first and second modes, for receiving input light and outputting said input light so that a polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode, said polarization control means comprising an array composed of a plurality of polarization controllers; polarization beam splitter means for passing said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a first polarization to thereby output a first light and for reflecting said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a second polarization substantially perpendicular to said first polarization to thereby output a second light, said input light from said polarization control means entering said polarization beam splitter means via a first side thereof; first reflection means, positioned on a second side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting one of said first light and said second light so that a light path of said one of said first light and said second light is shifted and the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a first reflected light; and second reflection means, positioned on a third side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting said first reflected light supplied from said first reflection means via said polarization beam splitter means so that a polarization of said first reflected light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a second reflected light; wherein: the other one of said first light and said second light enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a first light output, from a fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; said second reflected light from said second reflection means enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a second light output, from the fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; and said first light output has a light path which is different from that of said second light output, said optical space switch further comprises light circulating means for circulating said first and second light outputs with respect to said input light so that said first and second light outputs are repeatedly input to said polarization beam splitter means via said polarization control means and light paths of said first and second light outputs are shifted in a predetermined direction and for finally outputting said first and second light outputs in a corresponding one of said first and second planes in which said input light is included; and said first and second light outputs related to said first one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switch pass through said coupler and are input, as said input light, to said second one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switch.

Claim 53

An optical space switch comprising: a first one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switch in which light is shifted in a first plane; a second one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switch in which light is shifted in a second plane perpendicular to said first plane; and coupling means for optically coupling said first and second one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switches with each other, wherein each of said first and second one-dimensional optical space switches comprises: polarization control means having first and second modes, for receiving input light and outputting said input light so that a polarization of said input light is maintained in the first mode and is substantially changed by 90° in the second mode, said polarization control means comprising an array composed of a plurality of polarization controllers; polarization beam splitter means for passing said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a first polarization to thereby output a first light and for reflecting said input light from said polarization control means when said input light has a second polarization substantially perpendicular to said first polarization to thereby output a second light, said input light from said polarization control means entering said polarization beam splitter means via a first side thereof; first reflection means, positioned on a second side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting one of said first light and said second light so that a light path of said one of said first light and said second light is shifted and the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a first reflected light; and second reflection means, positioned on a third side of said polarization beam splitter means, for reflecting said first reflected light supplied from said first reflection means via said polarization beam splitter means so that a polarization of said first reflected light is substantially changed by 90° and for outputting a second reflected light; wherein: the other one of said first light and said second light enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a first light output, from a fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; said second reflected light from said second reflection means enters said polarization beam splitter means and is output, as a second light output, from the fourth side of said polarization beam splitter means; and said first light output has a light path which is different from that of said second light output, said optical space switch further comprises light circulating means for circulating said first and second light outputs with respect to said input light so that said first and second light outputs are repeatedly input to said polarization beam splitter means via said polarization control means and light paths of said first and second light outputs are shifted in a predetermined direction and for finally outputting said first and second light outputs in a corresponding one of said first and second planes in which said input light is included; and said first and second light outputs related to said first one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switch pass through said coupler and are input, as said input light, to said second one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switch.

Claim 54

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 46, wherein said light circulating means of each of said first and second one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switches comprises first, second, third and fourth reflection elements which are arranged so that said first and second light outputs are circulated via said polarization control means and said polarization beam splitter means.

Claim 55

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 46, wherein said first reflection means of each of said first and second one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switches comprises: a quarter wave plate arranged perpendicular to said one of said first light and said second light so that an optical axis of said quarter wave plate is inclined at approximately 45° with respect to the direction of the polarization of said one of said first light and said second light; and a light path changing element which shifts said one of said first light and said second light from said quarter wave plate in a predetermined direction including said plane by a predetermined distance.

Claim 56

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 48, wherein: said light path changing element of each of said first and second one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switches comprises a prism unit which has first, second and third stages arranged in a first direction; said first stage has a first prism having a first size and a first cross section with a first isosceles triangle shape; said second stage has a second prism and a third prism arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, each of said first prism and said second prism having a second cross section with a second isosceles triangle shape having a second size half that of said first prism; said third stage has a fourth prism, a fifth prism, a sixth prism and a seventh prism which are arranged side by side in said second direction, each of said fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh prisms having a third cross section with a third isosceles triangle shape having a third size half that of each of said second and third prisms; said first through seventh prisms have one of respective surfaces arranged on an identical plane; and said prism unit has a reflection coating layer provided on the one of said respective surfaces of said first through seventh prisms, so that said optical space switch functions as a two-dimensional optical Banyan network.

Claim 57

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 49, wherein said one of said first light and said second light passes through one of said first, second and third stages in a predetermined order each time said input light is circulated.

Claim 58

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 48, wherein: said light path changing element of each of said first and second one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switches comprises a prism unit which has first, second, third and fourth stages arranged in a first direction; said first stage has a first prism having a first size and a first cross section having a first isosceles triangle shape; said second stage has a second prism and a third prism arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, each of said second prism and said third prism having a second cross section with a second isosceles triangle shape having a second size half that of said first prism; said third stage has a fourth prism and a fifth prism which are arranged side by side in said second direction, each of said fourth and fifth prisms having the second size; said fourth stage has a sixth prism, a seventh prism, an eight prism and a ninth prism which are arranged side by side in said second direction, each of said sixth through ninth prisms having a third cross section of a third isosceles triangle having a third size half that of each of said second through fifth prisms; said first through ninth prisms have one of respective surfaces arranged on an identical plane; and said prism unit has a reflection coating layer provided on said one of respective surfaces of said first through ninth prisms, so that said optical space switch functions as a two-dimensional optical Banyan network.

Claim 59

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 48, wherein: said light path changing element of each of said first and second one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switches comprises a mirror unit which has first, second and third stages arranged in a first direction; said first stage has a pair or mirror surfaces having a first size, arranged perpendicular to each other; said second stage has two pairs of mirror surfaces arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, each of said two pairs of mirror surfaces being arranged perpendicular to each other, and each of said mirror surfaces of said two pairs having a second size half that of each of said pair of mirror surfaces of said first stage; said third stage has four pairs of mirror surfaces arranged side by side in said second direction, each of said four pairs of mirror surfaces being arranged perpendicular to each other, and each of said mirror surfaces of said four pairs having a third size half that of each of said two pairs of mirror surfaces of said second stage, so that said optical space switch functions as a two-dimensional optical crossover switch.

Claim 60

An optical space switch as claimed in claim 46, wherein said second reflection means of each of said first and second one-dimensional circularly connected type optical space switches comprises: a quarter wave plate arranged perpendicular to said first reflected light so that an optical axis of said quarter wave plate is inclined at approximately 45° with respect to the direction of the polarization of said first reflected light; and a reflection mirror which reflects said first reflected light from said quarter wave plate.