Patent ID: 6549689
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical switch comprising:a housing, a fixed optical-fiber holder for holding inside said housing at least one optical fiber end used for either of input or output, a movable optical-fiber holder for holding inside said housing at least one optical fiber end used for the other of input or output, which faces said fixed optical-fiber holder and is movable with respect to said fixed optical-fiber holder, a driver for moving said movable optical-fiber holder with respect to said fixed optical-fiber holder in such a manner that said input optical fiber end is caused to make a relative movement from or to a position where said input optical fiber end faces said output optical fiber end, a refractive index matching material packed inside said housing, which lies at least between said output optical fiber end and said input optical fiber end, a heater for heating said refractive index matching material in said housing, a means for sensing temperature inside said housing, and a controller for turning on or off power supply to said heater in accordance with said temperature sensing means.