Fiber optic switching device
US4359261A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 8, 1980 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/035
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electro-optical crystal slab defining an optical waveguide modulator between two parallel boundary regions. Each boundary region has electrodes next to the channel and a doped area immediately outside the region. An electric field applied via the boundary electrodes creates a low index of refraction and transmitted light remains in the waveguide. When boundary fields are removed some light is absorbed by the doped material. Fields applied to compensating electrodes lower the index of refraction of the doped area so that the light is directed into it and absorbed. Any light passing through the absorbing material is contained in an alternate channel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.