Patent ID: 6832016
Filing Date: 2004-12-14
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical fiber switch comprising:a) a first stationary optical fiber array having: 1) a front face, 2) an optical fiber terminating at the front face, and 3) a front face groove disposed in the front face and extending in a transverse direction b) a second stationary optical fiber array having: 1) a front face, 2) an optical fiber terminating at the front face, and 3) a front face groove disposed in the front face and extending in a transverse direction, c) a movable fiber array disposed between the stationary optical fiber arrays, the movable fiber array having: 1) a front face, 2) a rear face opposite the front face, 3) an optical waveguide extending between the front face and the rear face, 4) a front face groove disposed in the front face and extending in a transverse direction, 5) a rear face groove disposed in the rear face and extending in a transverse direction, d) an object disposed in the front face grooves between the first stationary fiber array and the movable fiber array; e) an object disposed in the front face groove and rear face grooves between the second stationary fiber array and the movable fiber array; whereby the movable array moves in a transverse direction by rolling or sliding on the objects.