Patent ID: 6493478
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
An optical switch for switching light at a switch wavelength as opposed to a signal wavelength, the optical switch comprising:a splitter having a waveguide defined by a core and a cladding surrounding the core, the core including an input leg, a first branch leg, and a second branch leg, the first branch leg and the seconds branch leg joined at a junction whereby the light may be propagated from the input leg through each of the first branch leg and the second branch leg, at least the first branch leg including a region fabricated from a material which changes refractive index when exposed to the light at an attenuation wavelength, but which is unresponsive to the light at a signal wavelength; a laser diode for emitting the light at the switch wavelength; and a lens for focusing the light at the switch wavelength at the region of the first branch leg fabricated from the material which changes refractive index when exposed to the light at an attenuation wavelength, but which is unresponsive to the light at a signal wavelength.