Microdynamical fiber-optic switch and method of switching using

Details Microdynamical fiber-optic switch and method of switching using Microdynamical fiber-optic switch and method of switching using

1992-04-30

1993-05-04

Healy, Brian

Optical waveguides

With optical coupler

Switch

385 16, 385 25, 385 31, 385 47, G02B 626

Patent

active

052088804

ABSTRACT:
A microdynamical optical switch includes a piezoelectric actuator disposed on a substrate, a mirror securely mechanically coupled to the actuator, an input connection port, and a plurality of output connection ports. The actuator displaces the mirror along a mirror displacement path such that the mirror, which is oriented at a 45.degree. angle to the path of the incident light, deflects light passing from the input connection port into an output connection port. The actuator includes a plurality of piezoelectric bars mechanically coupled together in series in a meander line geometry such that the cumulative deflection of the piezoelectric bars is used to displace the mirror. The amount of displacement of the actuator is governed by a controllable voltage source, which applies a voltage across each of the piezoelectric bars. In one embodiment the microdynamical switch has a 1.times.n arrangement, in which light entering through one input connection port is selectively directed to one of n output connection ports. In an alternative embodiment, the switch has a 2.times.2 arrangement in which light beams entering through two ports are individually selectively directed to one of two respective outlet ports.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4239331 (1980-12-01), Aoyama
patent: 4322126 (1982-03-01), Minowa et al.
patent: 4854658 (1989-08-01), Stanley
patent: 5133030 (1992-07-01), Lee
patent: 5146513 (1992-09-01), Inoue et al.
"High-Displacement Piezoelectric Actuation Utilizing a Meander Line Geometry-Part 1-Experimental Characteristics" by W. P. Robbins, D. L. Polla, et al., IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonic Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, vol. 38, Sep. 1991.

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