Patent ID: 6539132
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: G02F,H04Q

Abstract:
An optical switching apparatus for coupling a first optic fiber with a second optic fiber, said switch comprising:(a) a controller for producing a first electric signal and a second electric signal; (b) first and second optically active elements, each of said optically active elements having a diffraction angle; (c) first and second piezoelectric transducers coupled to said controller for receiving said first and second electric signals, said first piezoelectric transducer being coupled to said first optically active element and being responsive to said first electric signal to produce a first acoustic wave in said first optically active element, said second piezoelectric transducer being coupled to said second optically active element and being responsive to said second electric signal to produce a second acoustic wave in said second optically active element, wherein the diffraction angle of said first optically active element corresponds to said first acoustic wave, and wherein the diffraction angle of said second optically active element corresponds to said second acoustic wave, and wherein an optical signal emitted from said first optic fiber is deflected by said first and second optically active elements into said second optic fiber.