Patent ID: 6836586
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical switch for connecting and/or disconnecting an optical path, comprising:a housing; at least one fixed optical fiber having an open end in the housing; at least one movable optical fiber having an open end capable of moving relatively to the open end of the fixed optical fiber, the open end of the movable optical fiber being located in the housing; a fulcrum fixing the movable optical fiber at a distance from the open end of the movable optical fiber; a movable holder of magnetic material holding the movable optical fiber adjacent to the open end of the movable optical fiber and allowing the movable optical fiber to resiliently pivot on the fulcrum to move the open end of the movable optical fiber relatively to the open end of the fixed optical fiber; and an electromagnetic actuator reciprocating the movable holder, the electromagnetic actuator being located in an area on the movable optical fiber side from the open end of the movable optical fiber in the housing, wherein the electromagnetic actuator comprises: a first yoke having a first pole piece; a second yoke having a second pole piece, the movable holder being placed between the first and second pole pieces so as to reciprocate between the two pole pieces; a permanent magnet exerting a magnetic flux on the first and second yokes and the movable holder, the permanent magnet constituting a first magnetic path along with the first yoke and the movable holder and constituting a second magnetic path along with the second yoke and the movable holder; a first coil member wound around the first yoke to adjust the magnetic flux between the movable holder and the first pole piece; and a second coil member wound around the second yoke to adjust the magnetic flux between the movable holder and the second pole piece.