Patent ID: 6903362
Filing Date: 2005-06-07
Classification: H01P,H01Q

Abstract:
1. A switch for use in circuits which interact with electromagnetic radiation, comprising: at least one switch comprised of: a substrate for supporting components of the switch, a first conductive element on said substrate for connection to a first component of said circuit, a second conductive element on said substrate for connection to a second component of said circuit, and a switch element made up of a switching material on said substrate, and connecting the first conductive element to the second conductive element, said switching material comprised of a compound which exhibits a bi-stable phase behavior, and switchable between a first impedance state value and a second impedance state value by application of energy thereto, affecting current flow between said first conductive element and said second conductive element resulting from a change in the impedance value of said compound, such that electromagnetic energy flowing in the first and second conductive elements resulting from electromagnetic radiation interacting with the circuit containing the switch is either reflected off of the switch or transmitted through the switch depending on the impedance value.