Optical switch
US4521069A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 1982 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/025
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A semiconductor optical switch having a P-N junction with an active layer coupled with an input and output waveguides has been found. An input optical signal with the wavelength close to the center of the gain spectrum defined by said P-N junction is applied to said active layer, and said input optical signal is switched ON and OFF according to the injection current applied in said P-N junction. Said injection current for turning ON the optical switch is in the range between 80% and 90% of the threshold current which initiates oscillation operation of said P-N junction. When injection current is zero, an input optical signal does not appear at an output, and with the above injection current of 80-90% of the threshold current, an input optical signal appears at an output terminal. When a switch is in ON state, an input optical signal is amplified with some gain.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.