Optical switch
First Claim
1. An optical switch comprising:
- a first crystal element having a first surface;
a second crystal element sharing the same refracting index with the first crystal element and having a second surface corresponding to the first surface of the first crystal element; and
a driving device driving the second crystal element to selectively move relative to the first crystal element between a first position and a second position;
wherein in the first position, the second surface of the second crystal element abuts against the first surface of the first crystal element, so that a light beam transmitting into the first crystal element passes through the second crystal element and exits therefrom in a first direction; and
in the second position, a gap is formed between the first and second surfaces of the first and second crystal elements, so that a light beam transmitting into the first crystal element is fully reflected by the first surface and exits from the first crystal element in a second direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical switch includes a casing in which a fixed first crystal element having a first surface and a moveable second crystal element sharing the same refracting index with the first crystal element and having a second surface corresponding to the first surface of the first crystal element are arranged. A driving device selectively drives the second crystal element to move relative to the first crystal element between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the second surface of the second crystal element abuts against the first surface of the first crystal element, to allow a light beam transmitting into the first crystal element to pass through the second crystal element without substantial reflection. In the second position, the first and second surfaces are separated from each other, forming a gap therebetween whereby a light beam transmitting into the first crystal element is fully reflected on the first surface and leaves the optical switch in different direction thereby achieving switching operation.
2 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An optical switch comprising:
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a first crystal element having a first surface;
a second crystal element sharing the same refracting index with the first crystal element and having a second surface corresponding to the first surface of the first crystal element; and
a driving device driving the second crystal element to selectively move relative to the first crystal element between a first position and a second position;
whereinin the first position, the second surface of the second crystal element abuts against the first surface of the first crystal element, so that a light beam transmitting into the first crystal element passes through the second crystal element and exits therefrom in a first direction; and
in the second position, a gap is formed between the first and second surfaces of the first and second crystal elements, so that a light beam transmitting into the first crystal element is fully reflected by the first surface and exits from the first crystal element in a second direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of switching a light path, comprising the steps of:
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providing a first crystal element with a slanted end surface with regard to an axis thereof;
providing a second crystal element with a corresponding slanted end surface compliant with and adapted to abut against said slanted end surface of the first crystal element;
providing a driving device to move at least one of the first and second crystal elements close to or away from the other;
providing first, second and third collimating devices around said first and second crystal elements;
whereinlight enters the first crystal element via the first collimating device is fully reflected by the slanted end surface of the first crystal element toward the third collimating device when the second crystal element is spaced from said first crystal element with an air gap therebetween;
whilelight enters the first crystal element via the first collimating device is penetrates both the first and second collimating device toward the second collimating device when said second crystal element is moveably driven to abut against the first crystal element with an air gap therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (12, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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13. An optical switch comprising:
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first and second crystal elements moveable with each other to form an air gap optionally provided therebetween;
a common input port disposed beside the first crystal element;
two output ports respectively disposed beside the first crystal element and the second crystal element;
whereinlight enters the common input port and leaves via the output port beside the second crystal element when no air gap is formed between the first crystal element and the second crystal element;
while light enters the common input port and leaves via the output port beside the first crystal element when an air gap is formed between the first crystal element and the second crystal element.
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Specification