Total internal reflection optical switch
US6320994A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3596
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical switch that is constructed on a substrate having first and second waveguides that intersect at a gap having a predetermined width. The first and second waveguides are positioned such that light traversing the first waveguide enters the second waveguide when the gap is filled with a liquid having a first index of refraction. The gap is part of a trench in the substrate having a first region that includes the gap and a second region adjacent to the first region. The second region has a width greater than the width of the first region. A liquid having the first index of refraction is disposed in the first region. The liquid generates a gas when heated to a predetermined temperature. A first heater is disposed in the first region for heating the liquid to the predetermined temperature thereby generating a gas bubble in the liquid at the gap. Light traversing the first waveguide is reflected by the gap when the gap is filled with a gas. To change the switch into the non-reflecting state, the bubble is displaced to the second region of the trench, in response to a control signal. The displacement mechanism can be constructed from a second heater having a portion thereof locate…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.