Patent US4988157A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4988157A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical switch using bubbles
Assignee: Nytell Software LLC
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Filing: 1990-03-08
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Granted: 1991-01-29
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Expires: 2010-03-08
Abstract
Abstract An optical switch, particularly useful as a bistable cross-connect matrix. Parallel input waveguides and parallel output waveguides are formed on a substrate at perpendicular angles so as to intersect. A 45° slot is formed across each intersection and is filled with a fluid having a refractive index matching the waveguide material. Electrodes are positioned adjacent the slots and are selectively activated to electrolytically convert the fluid to gaseous bubbles, thereby destroying the index matching across the slot and causing light to be reflected by the slot rather than propagating across the slot. In the presence of a catalyst, a pulse of opposite polarity or of sufficient size and of the same polarity will destroy the bubble.
Inventors
- 👤 Janet L. Jackel
- 👤 Walter J. Tomlinson, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/004; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/3538; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/31; G02F1/313; G02B6/351; G02B6/3522; G02B6/354; G02B6/3544; G02B6/3546; G02B6/3564; G02B6/358
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An optical switch, comprising: a first optical waveguide formed on a surface of a substrate; a second optical waveguide formed on said surface of said substrate and intersecting said first waveguide at an intersection; a slot formed across said first and second waveguide at said intersection; a liquid selectively disposed in said slot; and means for selectively forming a gaseous bubble in said liquid in at least a portion of said slot adjacent said first and second waveguides at said intersection; wherein said forming means comprise electrolytic forming means for electrolyzing said liquid to create said bubble at said intersection; whereby a light signal propagating on said first optical waveguide selectively continues in said first optical waveguide across said intersection when said bubble is not formed at said intersection but is selectively switched to said second optical waveguide when said bubble is formed at said intersection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
An optical switch, comprising: a first optical waveguide formed on a surface of a substrate; a second optical waveguide formed on said surface of said substrate and intersecting said first waveguide at an intersection; a slot formed across said first and second waveguide at said intersection; a liquid selectively disposed in said slot; and means for selectively forming a gaseous bubble in said liquid in at least a portion of said slot adjacent said first and second waveguides at said intersection; wherein said forming means comprise electrolytic forming means for electrolyzing said liquid to create said bubble at said intersection; whereby a light signal propagating on said first optical waveguide selectively continues in said first optical waveguide across said intersection when said bubble is not formed at said intersection but is selectively switched to said second optical waveguide when said bubble is formed at said intersection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical switch as recited in claim 1, further comprising a catalyst disposed adjacent said portion of said slot for catalyzing components of said bubble.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical switch as recited in claim 1, wherein said forming means creates said bubbles in a region intercepting an optical path of said first optical waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
134 words
An optical switching matrix, comprising: a plurality of first waveguides formed in a substrate and extending along a first direction; a plurality of second waveguides formed in said substrate, extending along a second direction non-parallel to said first direction and each of said second waveguides serially intersecting all of said first waveguides at respective intersections; slots formed across said first and second waveguides at at least some of said intersections and capable of containing a fluid movably disposed in said slots; and electrolytic forming means for electrolyzing said liquid to selectively form a gaseous bubble in said liquid in said slots adjacent to a selected one of said intersections whereby said bubble being formed at said selected intersection causes a light signal propagating on a selected one of said first waveguides to be selectively
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
134 words
An optical switching matrix, comprising: a plurality of first waveguides formed in a substrate and extending along a first direction; a plurality of second waveguides formed in said substrate, extending along a second direction non-parallel to said first direction and each of said second waveguides serially intersecting all of said first waveguides at respective intersections; slots formed across said first and second waveguides at at least some of said intersections and capable of containing a fluid movably disposed in said slots; and electrolytic forming means for electrolyzing said liquid to selectively form a gaseous bubble in said liquid in said slots adjacent to a selected one of said intersections whereby said bubble being formed at said selected intersection causes a light signal propagating on a selected one of said first waveguides to be selectively
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical switch matrix as recited in claim 4, further comprising a catalyst disposed adjacent to said slots for catalyzing components of said bubble.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An optical switch matrix as recited in claim 4, wherein said electrolytic forming means comprises electrodes disposed adjacent to said slots and electrical means for applying power of a selected polarity to selected pairs of said electrodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical switch matrix as recited in claim 6, further comprising a catalyst disposed adjacent said slots for catalyzing components of said bubble.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical switch matrix as recited in claim 7, wherein at least one of said electrodes comprises said catalyst.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
An optical switch matrix as recited in claim 8, wherein said slots are formed of wider portions passing through said intersections and having said catalyst comprising electrode formed on a bottom surface thereof and narrower portions extending between neighboring ones of said intersections.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical switch matrix as recited in claim 9, further comprising reservoirs for said liquid connected to said narrower portions of said slots.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical switch matrix as recited in claim 4, wherein said liquid has an index of refraction substantially matching an index of refraction of said first and second waveguides.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical switch matrix as recited in claim 4, wherein said electrolytic forming means forms said bubble in a region intercepting an optical path of said selected one of said first waveguides.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
An optical switch, comprising: optical waveguiding means formed in an intersecting structure; apertures formed in said structure at respective intersections of portions of said structure; a fluid movably disposed in said apertures; and means for electrolyzing said fluid adjacent to said intersections to create a bubble in said fluid; whereby creation or destruction of said bubble adjacent to at least one of said intersections causes light signals to be selectively switched between portions of said optical waveguiding means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
78 words
An optical switch, comprising: optical waveguiding means formed in an intersecting structure; apertures formed in said structure at respective intersections of portions of said structure; a fluid movably disposed in said apertures; and means for electrolyzing said fluid adjacent to said intersections to create a bubble in said fluid; whereby creation or destruction of said bubble adjacent to at least one of said intersections causes light signals to be selectively switched between portions of said optical waveguiding means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical switch as recited in claim 13, wherein said bubble is created within an optical path of said optical waveguiding means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-28 | 1994-07-30 | 1995-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-28 | 1998-07-30 | 1999-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-28 | 2002-07-30 | 2003-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |