Patent ID: 7078849
Filing Date: 2006-07-18
Classification: G02B,H01H

Abstract:
1. A latching piezoelectric optical relay comprising: a first layer comprising a dielectric material; a second layer positioned below said first layer and comprising a dielectric material; a third layer positioned below said second layer comprising a dielectric material and a piezoelectric switching mechanism; a fourth layer positioned below said third layer; and an optical path running through said third layer; wherein said piezoelectric switching mechanism comprises a chamber; a first, second and third contact pad equally separated from each other, each of said contact pads having at least a portion within the chamber and where one of the separations between the pads intersects said optical path; a first and second piezoelectric element disposed in opposition to each other within said chamber, and a moveable conductive liquid within the chamber, with a first portion of the liquid wetted to the first of said of contact pads and a portion of the liquid wetted to both the second and third of said contact pads; and wherein said portion of the liquid wetted to said second and third of said contact pads is moveable toward said portion wetted to the first of said contact pads and wherein movement of said liquid causes said optical path to be blocked.