Patent ID: 7133588
Filing Date: 2006-11-07
Classification: B82Y,G02B

Abstract:
1. A device for varying the direction of an optical beam, comprising: a first waveguide directed along a first direction; a second waveguide directed along a second direction different from the first direction; and a bending region interposed between the first and the second waveguide, said bending region comprising: a photonic crystal having a regular periodicity and having at least a first and a second crystal axes substantially aligned with said first and second directions, respectively; and a reflecting surface delimiting said photonic crystal and so positioned and oriented as to have the normal to said reflecting surface bisecting the first and second crystal axes and as to reflect an optical beam coming from the first waveguide toward the second waveguide, wherein said photonic crystal is arranged so as to guide the optical beam coming from the first waveguide to the reflecting surface and to guide the reflected optical beam to the second waveguide.