Patent ID: 6925223

Claim:
An optical relay comprising: a first input optical waveguide; a first output optical waveguide, optically aligned with the first input optical waveguide to form a first direct optical path; a second output optical waveguide intersecting the first input optical waveguide; a transparent mirror housing, located at the intersection of the first input optical waveguide and the second output optical waveguide; a liquid metal slug adapted to move within a switching channel passing through the transparent mirror housing, the liquid metal slug having a reflective surface; a first pressure actuator operable to move the liquid metal slug within the switching channel so that it blocks the first direct optical path and completes a first reflected optical path from the first input optical waveguide to the second output optical waveguide; a second pressure actuator operable to move the liquid metal slug within the switching channel to remove it from the first direct optical path; and a metal coating applied to a portion of the interior of the transparent mirror housing, the metal coating being wettable by liquid metal, wherein the transparent mirror housing is a triangular tube and the metal coating is applied to the corners of the transparent mirror housing, the metal coating tending to cause the liquid metal slug to form a reflective surface.