Patent ID: 7724987
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: G02B,G02F

Abstract:
1. A dynamic polarization controller, comprising: a substrate having a cavity formed therein, an optical waveguide formed on and integral with said substrate, said optical waveguide having an intermediate portion thereof suspended in said cavity, said intermediate portion being continuous across said entire cavity, said cavity comprising sidewalls and a bottom wall, said intermediate portion of said waveguide positioned adjacent to said sidewalls such that no portion of said intermediate portion is positioned above said sidewalls outside of said cavity, a deflecting structure for controllably exerting a force on the suspended portion of said waveguide, such that the polarization properties of said waveguide can be controllably varied by said deflecting structure, said deflecting structure comprising deflector electrodes positioned on said sidewall and bottom wall of said waveguide and positioned on the surfaces of said waveguide opposing said sidewalls and bottom wall such that said deflecting structure is configured to deflect said intermediate portion of said waveguide towards or away from the sidewalls or the bottom wall of said cavity.