Patent · US Active

Multi-stage optical switching device

US7411723B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by

26References

14Claims

0Family size

Assignee

St. Clair Intellectual Property Consultants, Inc. · US

Inventors

John E. Minardi · Kettering, US
John L. Janning · Dayton, US

Key dates

Filing date	Jun 5, 2006
Grant date	Aug 12, 2008
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Apr 28, 2027

Classification

Technology area (CPC G)Physics
CPC primaryG02F2203/026
WIPO fieldOptics
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An optical switching device contains an active stage coupled to a passive stage. The index of refraction in the active stage is variable to change the entry direction of a light beam into the passive stage, which has a fixed index of refraction. Because the light beam can enter the passive stage at different angles, the exit direction of the light beam from the passive stage can be changed. The resulting optical switch allows switching without any mechanical components.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.