Optomechanical switch using laser or light movable liquid crystal

• US 7,116,857 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2003
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
• Inventors: Faris, Sadeg M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah, Akm Enayet
• Assistant Examiner(s): Petkovsek, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/730,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20050123233A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 385/16, 385/18, 359/872, 359/877
• US Class Current: 385/18
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 19/02 characterised by optical, electrical or physical properties of the components, in general
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 19/38 Polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3512 the optical element being reflective, e.g. mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3568 characterised by the actuating force

Abstract

An optomechanical switch comprised of light or laser movable liquid crystal is disclosed. The optomechanical switch consists of a plate of light movable liquid crystal rotatably disposed with respect to a substrate. When activated with a light or laser source, the light movable liquid crystal is rotated angularly to create transmissive and reflective states of transmission for the optical beam.

Claims

1. An optomechanical switch for transmitting an optical beam comprising:

a substrate;

a light source capable of transmitting a radiation signal; and

a light (or laser) movable liquid cryatal (LMLC) on said substrate positionable between a first position and a second position upon activation with said light source.

2. The optomechanical switch of claim 1 wherein said first position is a transmissive state for transmission of said optical beam.

3. The optomechanical switch of claim 2 wherein said second position is a reflective state for reflection of said optical beam.

4. The optomechanical switch of claim 1 wherein said substrate is silicon.

5. The optomechanical switch of claim 1 wherein said substrate is silicon on insulator.

6. The optomechanical switch of claim 1 wherein said substrate is a multi layer substrate.

7. The optomechanical switch of claim 1 wherein said light source is a laser.

8. The optomechanical switch of claim 1 wherein said LMLC is rotatably disposed with respect to said substrate.

9. An optomechanical switch for transmitting an optical beam comprising:

a substrate;

a signal source capable of transmitting a radiation signal;

a light movable liquid crystal (LMLC) on said substrate positionable between a first position and second position upon activation with said signal source; and

a micromirror hinged to said LMLC.

10. The optomechanical switch of claim 9 wherein said hinge is made of LMLCs.

11. The optomechanical switch of claim 9 wherein said first position is a transmissive state for transmission of said optical beam.

12. The optomechanical switch of claim 11 wherein said second position is a reflective state for reflection of said optical beam.

13. The optomechanical switch of claim 9 wherein said signal source is a light source.

14. The optomechanical switch of claim 9 wherein said signal source is a laser source.