Optical switches including reflectors having associated actuators and latches located adjacent to a surface thereof and methods of operating same

US6504968B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• JDS Uniphase Corporation · US

Inventors

• Terry Zhu · Shanghai, CN
• John S. McKillop · Chandler, US
• Mark D. Walters · Durham, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 30, 2000
• Grant date: Jan 7, 2003
• Expiry date: Dec 28, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/3596
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention can provide a substrate and a moveable reflector, on the substrate, having first and second opposing surfaces, wherein the moveable reflector moves to first and second positions on the substrate. A latch is located on the substrate adjacent to the first surface of the moveable reflector opposite the second surface and coupled to the moveable reflector, wherein the latch holds the moveable reflector in the first and second positions. An actuator is located on the substrate adjacent to the first surface of the moveable reflector opposite the second surface and is coupled to the latch, wherein the actuator moves the moveable reflector to the first and second positions. Also disclosed are moveable reflectors having a first reflecting position along an input beam path that reflects optical radiation from the input beam path along a first reflected beam path and a second reflecting position along the input beam path spaced-apart from the first reflecting position that reflects optical radiation from the input beam path along a second reflected beam path parallel to the first reflected beam path. Related methods are also disclosed.