Patent ID: 6532319
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A method of fabricating an optical cross-connect switch comprising:providing a planar lightwave circuit having a plurality of optical waveguides and a trench provided therein, including a first waveguide and a second waveguide that intersect the trench such that optical coupling between the first and second waveguides is dependent upon a presence of a fluid at an intersection of the trench with the first and second waveguides; providing a mounting base having a channel and through openings provided therein; providing fill tubes disposed in the channel and through openings of the mounting base; providing a reservoir pedestal having through openings provided therein; forming a bubble-forming element on a first surface of the reservoir pedestal, including patterning a plurality of leads on the first surface; bonding the mounting base and reservoir pedestal together with the fill tubes extending through the through openings therein to form a reservoir substrate; providing a sealing/bonding ring; and bonding and sealing the planar lightwave circuit and the reservoir substrate using the sealing/bonding ring to form a reservoir, including aligning the bubble-forming element and planar lightwave circuit such that the reservoir is in fluid communication with the fill tubes through the reservoir substrate and the trench in the planar lightwave circuit is in thermal communication with the bubble-forming element on the first surface of the reservoir pedestal.