Patent ID: 6765161
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A structure for a reflective optical switch, comprising:a gas-filled chamber housed within a solid material; a first one or more optical waveguides coupled to the gas-filled chamber wherein the first one or more optical waveguides are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the gas-filled chamber; a second one or more optical waveguides coupled to the gas-filled chamber wherein the second one or more optical waveguides are not parallel to the first one or more optical waveguides; a plurality of piezoelectric elements of the gas-filled chamber, coupled to the solid material; a slug within the gas-filled chamber coupled to one or more of the plurality of piezoelectric elements, said slug operable to move along the longitudinal axis of the gas-filled chamber; and a liquid metal within the gas-filled chamber, said liquid metal operable to be coupled to the slug wherein the coupling of the liquid metal to the slug and gas-filled chamber is operable to create an optically reflective surface.