Patent ID: 6496612
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: G02B,H01H

Abstract:
A network for switching optical signals, said network comprising:a permanent magnet producing a first electromagnetic field; a plurality of optical inputs accepting said optical signals; a plurality of mirror elements, each mirror element comprising a cantilever and an electromagnet, said cantilever having a magnetically sensitive portion and a reflective portion, said magnetically sensitive portion having a longitudinal axis and being responsive to said first magnetic field to produce a magnetization vector along said longitudinal axis, and said electromagnet being configured to switch said cantilever between a first state and a second state by a temporary current applied through said electromagnet producing a second magnetic field such that a component of said second magnetic field is substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis to change the direction of said magnetization vector along said longitudinal axis; and a control device controlling said electromagnets such that said mirror elements are switched between said first and second states to allow said reflective portions of said plurality of mirror elements to direct said optical signals between said plurality of optical inputs and a plurality of optical outputs.