Patent ID: 6396974
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical switch comprising a plurality of elements arranged in each of a row and a column direction thereof, each of the elements comprising slit located at corresponding crossing point between an optical waveguide extending to a row direction and an optical waveguide extending to the column direction, heating means, provided near each of said slit, with a predetermined resistance value, and liquid with predetermined optical characteristics which moves within said slit depending on heat generated by said heating means, wherein said liquid being moved to switch optical paths at said crossing point between said optical waveguides, said optical switch comprising:first electric wirings connecting said heating means of the elements in the same row direction together in condition that a ratio of the resistance value of each heating means to said predetermined resistance value has a predetermined value or smaller; second electric wirings connecting said heating means of the elements in the same column direction together in condition that a ratio of the resistance value of each heating means to said predetermined resistance value has a predetermined value or smaller; and an insulating layer interposed between said first electric wirings and said second electric wirings.