Optical switch
US6396974B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3596
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical switch of the present invention has a plurality of elements arranged in each of a row and a column direction thereof, where the slits of each element are located at corresponding crossing point between an optical wave guide extending to a row direction and a column direction. A heating element, provided near each of the slits, with a predetermined resistance value, and liquid with predetermined optical characteristic which moves within the slit. The liquid is moved to switch the optical paths at the crossing point between the optical wave-guides. A first electric wirings connecting the heating element of elements in the same row direction in condition that ratio of the resistance value of each heating element to the predetermine resistance value has a predetermined value or smaller, and a second electric wiring connecting the heating element of the element in the same column direction together in condition that a ratio of the resistance value of each heating element to the predetermine resistance value has a predetermined value or smaller.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.