Optical switch element and a liquid crystal light directional coupler used in the optical switch element
US5381251A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 7, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jan 10, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/3132
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical switch element for selectively transmitting or shielding light from a first optical wave guide to a second optical wave guide is disclosed. The optical switch element includes a first optical switch portion and a second optical switch portion. The first optical switch portion includes: a part of said first optical wave guide; a first liquid crystal layer optically connected to said part of said first optical wave guide; a first part of said second optical wave guide optically connected to said first liquid crystal layer; and first voltage applying means for applying voltage to said first liquid crystal layer to change a refractive index of said first liquid crystal layer. The second optical switch portion includes: a second part of said second optical wave guide; a second liquid crystal layer optically connected to said second part of said second optical wave guide; and second voltage applying means for applying voltage to said second liquid crystal layer to change a refractive index of said second liquid crystal layer. In a case where light is transmitted from said first optical wave guide to said second optical wave guide, said first optical switch portion is in a tran…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.