Patent ID: 6493482
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical switch for switching an optical signal from an optical source, the optical switch comprising:a first waveguide having an associated index of refraction, the first waveguide guiding the optical signal along a first waveguide optical path generally defined by a longitudinal axis of the first waveguide; a second waveguide having an associated index of refraction, the second waveguide guiding the optical signal along a second waveguide optical path generally defined by a longitudinal axis of the second waveguide and generally coaxial with the first waveguide optical path; a third waveguide having an associated index of refraction, the third waveguide guiding the optical signal along a third waveguide optical path generally defined by a longitudinal axis of the third waveguide and that is oriented with respect to the first waveguide optical path at a predetermined angle; the first, second and third waveguides being arranged around a trench that separates two of the waveguides and that has a medium with an associated index of refraction, wherein the first waveguide has a first facet through which the optical signal exits the first waveguide to enter the trench, the second waveguide has a second facet through which the optical signal leaving the trench enters the second waveguide, and the third waveguide has a third facet through which the optical signal reflected by the reflective surface and leaving the trench enters the third waveguide, at least one of the first facet, second facet and third facet being independent from and not parallel with the other facets, at least one of the first, second and third waveguide facets being angled with respect to the corresponding waveguide's optical path; a shutter disposed in the trench and having a reflective surface; and an actuator connected to the shutter for causing the shutter to move between a first position in which the optical signal from the first waveguide passes across the trench into the second waveguide, and a second position in which the optical signal from the first waveguide is reflected by the reflective surface into the third waveguide.