Patent ID: 7301686
Filing Date: 2007-11-27
Classification: G02F,H04Q

Abstract:
1. An optically controlled optical-path-switching-type optical signal transmission apparatus comprising: a signal light beam light source for irradiating a signal light beam having one (1) or more wavelengths; a control light beam light source for irradiating a control light beam having two (2) or more wavelengths that are different from those of the signal light beam; two (2) or more light-absorbing layer films for transmitting the signal light beam and selectively absorbing respectively only one (1) specific wavelength of the control light beam; means for respectively converging and irradiating the control light beam and the signal light beam to each of the light-absorbing layer films; two (2) or more thermal lens forming devices for causing the converged signal light beam to exit while maintaining beam convergence, or for varying the angle of divergence of the signal light beam and for causing the signal beam to exit, in response to the presence or absence of irradiation of the one (1) specific wavelength of the control light beam, by using a thermal lens containing the light-absorbing layer films and based on a distribution of refractive index produced reversibly caused by temperature increase generated in an area of the light-absorbing layer film that has absorbed the one (1) specific wavelength of the control light beam and in the periphery thereof; and a plurality of mirrors, one provided after each of the thermal lens forming devices and having a hole and reflecting means, for passing the signal light beam having exited the thermal lens forming devices through the hole or deflecting the optical path of the signal light beam by reflecting the signal light beam by the reflecting means in response to the presence or absence of irradiation of the one (1) specific wavelength of the control light beam.