Method and apparatus for switching optical signals with a photon band gap device
US6778722B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 2, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2202/32
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical switch (11, 111, 211) includes a member (26) having a plurality of openings (31-42) therethrough which are arranged in a periodic pattern. A path (86-87, 91-92, 96-97) extends through the member from an input to an output, with a subset of the openings disposed along the path. In one operational mode, each of the openings contains a material having an index of refraction which is different from the index of refraction of the member, so as to define a photon band gap configuration that inhibits propagation through the member of radiation at a predetermined wavelength. In a different operational mode, the index of refraction of the subset of openings along the path has a different value, which permits radiation to propagate along the path.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.