Molded optical waveguide switching apparatus
US4480184A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 1982 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3596
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Molded optical waveguide switching apparatus wherein a flat, planar light transmissive plastic member of a refractive index N.sub.2 is premolded with orthogonally arranged obverse and reverse grooves or channels and wherein each such channel or groove is filled-in or molded with a light transmissive plastic of a refractive index N.sub.1 (where N.sub.1 >N.sub.2) effectively forming front and back light conducting channels or waveguides at right angles to one another on the flat planar member. A gently curved tap is molded into the intersecting area of each row and column waveguide with a through opening or aperture formed adjacent each intersection. The taps of the obverse side are curved downwardly to meet the upwardly curved taps of the reverse side of the planar member. Light blocking and unblocking members are operably disposed in respective apertures to interrupt light from light generating to light receiving receptors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.