Patent ID: 7403684
Filing Date: 2008-07-22
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical fuse comprising: a medium constituting a structure in which a light-emitting end of a first optical waveguide is coupled to a light-incident end of a second optical waveguide across said medium, said medium being transparent to light passing through said structure; and a light-absorbing body to absorb a portion of said light and generate heat to cause irreversible change to said medium by increased heat generation of said light-absorbing body when light intensity passing through said medium exceeds a critical light intensity, said light-absorbing body contacting at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of said medium in such a manner as to allow a part of light emitted from said light-emitting end into said medium to reach said light-absorbing body, wherein light-absorbing body is located outside of propagation region of light travelling inside the medium, and wherein the optical fuse is for an optical circuit which transmits light while confining the light in the optical waveguides.