Clean and test for fluid within a reflection optical switch system

• US 20050018956A1
• Filed: 07/23/2003
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies Fiber IP Singapore PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sims, Tyler
• Granted Patent: US 7,274,840 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/18
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3538 based on displacement or deformation of a liquid controlling the intensity of light by displacement or deformation of a fluid in general G02B26/004; fluid-filled lens of variable focal length G02B3/14
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/356 in an optical cross-connect device, e.g. routing and switching aspects of interconnecting different paths propagating different wavelengths to (re)configure the various input and output links switching polarized beams G02B6/3594; power equalizers G02B6/356 and G02B6/3594; path selecting means H04Q11/0001
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3576 Temperature or heat actuation thermal forces controlling reflecting elements in general G02B26/0866; thermo-optic devices G02F1/0147
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3582 Housing means or package or arranging details of the switching elements, e.g. for thermal isolation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3596 With planar waveguide arrangement, i.e. in a substrate, regardless if actuating mechanism is outside the substrate

Abstract

Fluid within a reflection optical switch system is purified. Gettering structures are placed within a chamber within the reflection optical switch system. The gettering structures includes heating components which when actuated attract impurities. The heating components within the gettering structures are turned on to getter out impurities from fluid within the chamber.

Claims

1. A method for purifying fluid within a reflection optical switch system comprising:

placing gettering structures within a chamber within the reflection optical switch system, the gettering structures including heating components which when actuated attract impurities; and

,

turning on the heating components within the gettering structures to getter out impurities from fluid within the chamber.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein placing gettering structures includes placing heating components around filament holes through which vapor enters the chamber from a reservoir.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein placing gettering structures includes placing heating components on pillars within filament holes through which vapor enters the chamber from a reservoir.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein placing gettering structures includes placing structures that are optically accessible from outside the chamber.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein placing gettering structures includes placing a plurality of coupon structures that are optically accessible from outside the chamber, the plurality of coupon structures including coupon structures of different sizes and composed of different materials so as to target different materials for gettering.

6. A method as in claim 1 wherein placing gettering structures includes placing structures that are used to generate a voltage differential across a gap of predetermined size.

7. A reflection optical switch system comprising:

a chamber that stores fluid; and

,

gettering structures within the chamber, the gettering structures including heating components which when actuated getter impurities from the fluid stored in the chamber.

8. A reflection optical switch system as in claim 7 wherein the gettering structures include heating components placed around filament holes through which vapor enters the chamber from a reservoir.

9. A reflection optical switch system as in claim 7 wherein the gettering structures include heating components placed on pillars within filament holes through which vapor enters the chamber from a reservoir.

10. A reflection optical switch system as in claim 7 wherein the gettering structures include structures that are optically accessible from outside the chamber.

11. A reflection optical switch system as in claim 7 wherein the gettering structures include a plurality of coupon structures that are optically accessible from outside the chamber, the plurality of coupon structures including coupon structures of different sizes and composed of different materials so as to target different materials for gettering.

12. A reflection optical switch system as in claim 7 wherein the gettering structures include structures that are used to generate a voltage differential across a gap of predetermined size.

13. A reflection optical switch system as in claim 7 wherein the gettering structures include bridge structures.

14. A reflection optical switch system comprising:

chamber means for storing fluid; and

,

gettering means, located within the chamber, for heating and gettering the fluid stored in the chamber means.

15. A reflection optical switch system as in claim 14 wherein the gettering means includes heating components placed around filament holes through which vapor enters the chamber from a reservoir.

16. A reflection optical switch system as in claim 14 wherein the gettering means includes heating components placed on pillars within filament holes through which vapor enters the chamber from a reservoir.

17. A reflection optical switch system as in claim 14 wherein the gettering means includes gettering structures that are optically accessible from outside the chamber.

18. A reflection optical switch system as in claim 14 wherein the gettering means includes a plurality of coupon structures that are optically accessible from outside the chamber, the plurality of coupon structures including coupon structures of different sizes and composed of different materials so as to target different materials for gettering.

19. A reflection optical switch system as in claim 14 wherein the gettering means include bridge structures.

20. A reflection optical switch system as in claim 14 wherein the gettering means includes structures that are used to generate a voltage differential across a gap of predetermined size.