A thermo-optical switch

Details A thermo-optical switch A thermo-optical switch

G - Physics

02

F

G02F 1/01 (2006.01) G02B 6/12 (2006.01) G02F 1/313 (2006.01)

Patent

CA 2285711

In transparent optical communications systems, optical switches are required to switch over the incoming optical signals to one of a plurality of outputs. The object of the invention is to provide an optical switch which facilitates high switching speeds, attenuates passing-through light to the least extent possible, and moreover is cost-efficient and reliable. In accordance with the invention, a plurality of glass waveguides (GWL1...GWL4) are arranged in a first plane. In an overlying plane there is arranged at least one polymer waveguide (PWLA) which forms an acute angle with the glass waveguides. Vertical coupling regions are formed where the polymer waveguide intersects the underlying glass waveguides. The coupling properties can be selectively influenced with the aid of heating electrodes (EA1...EA4; EB1...EB4). To switch over light from one glass waveguide into another, the temperature of the vertical coupling regions is set such that light is coupled up from the one glass waveguide into the polymer waveguide, is guided therein, and is coupled down into the desired glass waveguide in another coupling region.

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