Patent ID: 6904192
Filing Date: 2005-06-07
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical switch comprising: an optical structure containing crossing light paths with optical cavities at intersections of the light paths; a liquid having an index of refraction matching an index of refraction of the light paths, wherein the liquid is in communication with the optical cavities, the liquid in the optical structure having a pressure and a temperature such that a bubble intentionally created in one of the optical cavities for switching of a light beam is stable at the temperature of the liquid; and a plurality of activation structures, wherein each of the activation structures has a corresponding optical cavity and is operable to switch the optical cavity from a first state in which the optical cavity contains a bubble to a second state in which the optical cavity is filled with the liquid, each activation structure comprising: an activation cavity formed in the optical structure in fluid communication with the liquid and the corresponding optical cavity, wherein each activation cavity has a minimum dimension that is too small to permit the activation cavity to contain a stable bubble at the temperature of the liquid; and a heating element in the activation cavity.