Electrically actuated optical switch having a surface pivotable Mirror
First Claim
1. An optical switch for manipulating an optical beam comprising:
- a first member;
a second member supported in spaced relation from a surface of said first member by flexures;
arrays of electrodes distributed along each of said first and second members to enable electrostatic drive forces to selectively displace said second member relative to said first member; and
a reflector connected to each of said first and second members to pivot about a pivot axis that is generally parallel to said surface of said first member as responses to relative displacements between said first and second members, said reflector having a plurality of operation positions, including at least one operation position within a path of said optical beam.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An optical switch uses a surface electrostatic actuator to mechanically pivot a reflector to selectively redirect a received optical beam. In one application, the optical switch selectively couples a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber. The electrostatic actuator includes first and second members that are separated by a short distance. The opposing surfaces of the two members include a number of drive electrodes. These electrodes generate electrostatic forces which induce lateral displacement when the electrostatic forces are modified. The modification of the electrostatic forces is accomplished by reconfiguring a voltage pattern of the drive electrodes. The lateral displacement pivots the reflector, which is mechanically attached to the first member. The pivoting occurs along a pivot region that is generally parallel to the surfaces of the first and second members. The first member may be a stator, while the second member may be a translator that controls pivoting of an internal micromirror.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. An optical switch for manipulating an optical beam comprising:
-
a first member;
a second member supported in spaced relation from a surface of said first member by flexures;
arrays of electrodes distributed along each of said first and second members to enable electrostatic drive forces to selectively displace said second member relative to said first member; and
a reflector connected to each of said first and second members to pivot about a pivot axis that is generally parallel to said surface of said first member as responses to relative displacements between said first and second members, said reflector having a plurality of operation positions, including at least one operation position within a path of said optical beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An optical switch comprising:
-
an input path for an optical beam;
a pivoting reflector having first and second positions, at least one of said first and second positions being along said input path;
a first member, said pivoting reflector being mounted to said first member to pivot between said first and second positions along a pivot region that is generally parallel to said first member; and
a second member connected to said first member to enable substantially linear movement parallel to said first member, said second member being connected to said pivoting reflector to induce said pivot between said first and second positions in response to said substantially linear movement, said first and second members having an electrostatic-drive relationship such that said substantially linear movement is induced by electrostatic forces generated therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification