Optical switch controlled by selective activation and deactivation of an optical source
First Claim
1. A switching element comprising:
- an optical source for emitting optical radiation; and
a first optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide having ends that intersect at a gap, said gap being positioned such that optical coupling between said first and second waveguides is determined by a presence of a fluid within said gap, said fluid being selectively vaporized to form a vapor bubble within said gap in response to heating induced by said optical radiation.
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Abstract
A system for manipulating optical signals in an optical switch utilizes a light-absorbing region. The region efficiently converts light to thermal energy and is in thermal communication with an index-matching fluid disposed within an intersecting gap between a first input optical waveguide and a first output optical waveguide. In one embodiment, exposing the region to optical radiation elevates the temperature of the fluid within the gap, resulting in vaporization of the fluid into gas. Filling the gap with gas creates a refractive index mismatch that causes light from the first input waveguide to be diverted to a second output waveguide. In another embodiment, the manipulation of optical signals is achieved by exposing a light-absorbing fluid to the source radiation.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A switching element comprising:
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an optical source for emitting optical radiation; and
a first optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide having ends that intersect at a gap, said gap being positioned such that optical coupling between said first and second waveguides is determined by a presence of a fluid within said gap, said fluid being selectively vaporized to form a vapor bubble within said gap in response to heating induced by said optical radiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A switching arrangement for defining a transmitting state and a reflecting state comprising:
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an emitting source for generating light; and
first and second light-transmitting waveguides having ends extending to a chamber such that optical communication from a first end of said first waveguide to a second end of said second waveguide is determined by movement of a fluid within said chamber, said fluid being selectively vaporized by activation and deactivation of said emitting source, said emitting source being configured to emit light at sufficient intensity to define said reflecting state upon activation and being controlled to define said transmitting state upon deactivation. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for controlling an optical signal comprising:
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providing a plurality of optical waveguides, including providing an intersecting gap at ends of said waveguides such that optical coupling of an input waveguide to operatively associated first and second output waveguides is dependent by a presence and absence of a fluid disposed within said gap; and
switching said optical coupling of said input waveguide by selectively activating a light source, said activating of said light source resulting in a fluidic change within said gap such that said optical signal from said input waveguide is diverted from communication with said first output waveguide by propagation through said gap to communication with said second output waveguide by reflection at said gap. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification