Patent ID: 6687429
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical switch comprising:an input port and first and second output ports, the ports being arranged in a T-shaped configuration with the second output port substantially aligned with the input port along an optical path, the first output port being arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical path; an optical switching subassembly arranged between the input port and the output ports comprising a first optical transmitting medium adjacent the input port and a second optical transmitting medium adjacent the second output port, the first optical transmitting medium having a first surface and the second optical transmitting medium having a second surface opposing the first surface, a switching means sandwiched between the first and second surfaces of the optical transmitting mediums; and the switching means comprising first and second optical transmitting liquid sections movably retained between the first and second surfaces, the first and second optical transmitting liquid sections being spaced from each other to form an air section therebetween, wherein the switching means has a first condition where the air section and the optical transmitting liquid sections are in a first position and a second condition where the air section and the optical transmitting liquid sections are in a second position; wherein, in the first position, the air section is on the optical path whereby an input light from the input port is fully reflected by the first surface of the first optical transmitting medium and is redirected to the first output port and wherein, in the second position, one of the optical transmitting liquid sections is located on the optical path whereby an input light from the input port is allowed to travel along the optical path toward the second output port.