Total internal reflection optical switch
US6487333B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3596
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The optical switch comprises a substrate, a planar waveguide circuit, an index-matching liquid, a working fluid and a displacing device. The planar waveguide circuit is supported by the substrate. The planar waveguide circuit and the substrate collectively define a trench that includes a first trench region and a second trench region adjacent the first trench region. The second trench region has a width greater than the first trench region. The planar waveguide circuit includes a first waveguide and a second waveguide. The waveguides intersect at the first trench region and are positioned such that light traversing the first waveguide enters the second waveguide when an index-matching material is present in the first trench region, and is otherwise reflected by said the first trench region. The index-matching liquid is located in at least part of the first trench region. The working fluid is located in the second trench region. The displacing device is coupled to the second trench region, and is for displacing part of the working fluid into the first trench region to interpose the index-matching liquid between the waveguides.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.