Patent ID: 6463192
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A non-blocking micro-optic switch matrix comprising:a plurality of optical routing elements forming an MÃ—N matrix of optical routing elements, said matrix having a plurality of M rows and a plurality of N columns, each row of said M rows has N said optical routing elements and each said column of said plurality of N columns has M said optical routing elements, wherein M and N are equal or not equal, each said optical routing element in one row of said plurality of M rows may be optically coupled to the other said optical routing elements in said one row, each said optical routing element in one column of said plurality of N columns may be optically coupled to the other said optical routing elements in said one column, wherein each said optical routing element of said plurality comprises first and second wafer prisms, having a gap disposed therebetween, said gap having a front bounded by said first wafer prism, a back bounded by said second wafer prism, and a body of transparent solid material disposed in said gap, between said first and second wafer prisms, said body having a contracted state at a first temperature and an expanded state at a second temperature, wherein said contracted state defines an air gap disposed in the path of light traveling along a first optic axis of said prisms, so as to cause said light to be deflected along a second optic axis of said prisms through total internal reflection, said second optic axis having a non-zero angle with respect to said first optic axis, and said expanded state removes said air gap disposed in the path of light traveling along said first optic axis so as to allow said light to pass from said first wafer prism, through said body, and into said second wafer prism.