Rolling shutter optical switch device with latch electrode and slits in shutter
First Claim
1. An optical switch device comprising:
- a substrate;
a flexible membrane attached at least one end to a surface of the substrate in proximity to an optical port portion of the substrate, the flexible membrane being configured such that, in a first state, the flexible membrane is disposed over the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the flexible membrane, and, in a second state, the flexible membrane is disposed to expose the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the optical port portion of the substrate; and
a latch electrode on the substrate at a second end of the flexible membrane used to reduce sticking between said flexible membrane and said substrate, such that, when the flexible membrane is in the first state, upon application of a latching voltage between the latch electrode and the substrate, the flexible membrane is held in the first state.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical switch device includes a rolling shutter or membrane attached at one of its edges to a substrate near an optical port in the substrate. The rolling shutter can assume one of two states. In a first closed state, the membrane is uncoiled onto the substrate over the port such that light directed at the port impinges on the shutter. In a second open state, the membrane is rolled up away from the port such that light directed at the port impinges on the port. In one embodiment, a mirror is formed on the membrane such that when the membrane is in the closed state over the substrate, light directed at the port is reflected by the mirror. In one configuration, the optical port includes a hole or aperture such light passed through the port without interference. The device can include a latch electrode the far end of the membrane such that when it is rolled out, it can be held in position by a latching voltage applied across the latch electrode and the substrate. Slits can be formed in the membrane to keep the mirror flat by relieving strain in the membrane and to allow gases in proximity to the device to pass through the membrane as it is activated. The shutter can include dimples to minimize the area of contact between the membrane and the substrate to reduce the probability of the two sticking together. The attachment edge of the membrane can be made shorter than its width to reduce distortions in the membrane to keep the mirror flat. A raised annular rim can be provided around the port such that when the shutter is held down over the port it is pulled taut and flat over the rim. This feature is also used to maintain flatness in the mirror. The switch device can be used as part of an array of optical switches.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An optical switch device comprising:
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a substrate;
a flexible membrane attached at least one end to a surface of the substrate in proximity to an optical port portion of the substrate, the flexible membrane being configured such that, in a first state, the flexible membrane is disposed over the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the flexible membrane, and, in a second state, the flexible membrane is disposed to expose the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the optical port portion of the substrate; and
a latch electrode on the substrate at a second end of the flexible membrane used to reduce sticking between said flexible membrane and said substrate, such that, when the flexible membrane is in the first state, upon application of a latching voltage between the latch electrode and the substrate, the flexible membrane is held in the first state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An optical switch device comprising:
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a substrate;
a flexible membrane attached at at least one end to a surface of the substrate in proximity to an optical port portion of the substrate, the flexible membrane being configured such that, in a first state, the flexible membrane is disposed over the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the flexible membrane, and, in a second state, the flexible membrane is disposed to expose the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the optical port portion of the substrate; and
a plurality of slits formed in the flexible membrane such that distortions in the flexible membrane are reduced. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. An optical switch device comprising:
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a substrate;
a flexible membrane attached at at least one end to a surface of the substrate in proximity to an optical port portion of the substrate, the flexible membrane being configured such that, in a first state, the flexible membrane is disposed over the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the flexible membrane, and, in a second state, the flexible membrane is disposed to expose the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the optical port portion of the substrate; and
a plurality of slits formed in the flexible membrane such that a gas in proximity to the optical switch device passes through the slits as the flexible membrane transitions between the first state and the second state. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. An optical switching method comprising:
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providing a substrate;
attaching a flexible membrane at least one end to a surface of the substrate in proximity to an optical port portion of the substrate, the flexible membrane being configured such that, in a first state, the flexible membrane is disposed over the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the flexible membrane, and, in a second state, the flexible membrane is disposed to expose the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the optical port portion of the substrate; and
providing a latch electrode on the substrate at a second end of the flexible membrane used to reduce sticking between said flexible membrane and said substrate, such that, when the flexible membrane is in the first state, upon application of a latching voltage between the latch electrode and the substrate, the flexible membrane is held in the first state. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An optical switching method comprising:
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forming a substrate;
attaching a flexible membrane at at least one end to a surface of the substrate in proximity to an optical port portion of the substrate, the flexible membrane being configured such that, in a first state, the flexible membrane is disposed over the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the flexible membrane, and, in a second state, the flexible membrane is disposed to expose the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the optical port portion of the substrate; and
forming a plurality of slits in the flexible membrane such that distortions in the flexible membrane are reduced. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. An optical switching method comprising:
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forming a substrate;
attaching a flexible membrane at at least one end to a surface of the substrate in proximity to an optical port portion of the substrate, the flexible membrane being configured such that, in a first state, the flexible membrane is disposed over the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the flexible membrane, and, in a second state, the flexible membrane is disposed to expose the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the optical port portion of the substrate; and
forming a plurality of slits in the flexible membrane such that a gas in proximity to the optical switch device passes through the slits as the flexible membrane transitions between the first state and the second state. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification