Magnetic latching system for mems optic switches
US6539140B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 2, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3576
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical switch has a passive latching system. The switch includes a reflective element and a switch actuator for moving the reflective element to a first position based on a switching signal. The passive latching system is coupled to the switch actuator, where the passive latching system maintains the reflective element in the first position when the switching signal is discontinued. The latching system has a first magnet configuration coupled to a first portion of the switch actuator, and a second magnet configuration coupled to a second portion of the actuator. Thus, a magnetic force biases the magnetic configurations together when the reflective element is in the first position and the switching signal is discontinued. The latching is discontinued by using the switching signal to raise the temperature of one of the magnet configurations above its Curie point. The use of a passive latching system improves reliability, reduces cost, and enables the optical switch to serve as a viable alternative to conventional switching devices.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.