Optical switch

Abstract

An optical switch is described which has particular utility in communication systems utilizing light as a modulated carrier. The switch is susceptible to construction as an integrated optical device and may be formed with a planar substrate and an optically transparent film on a surface of that substrate which has an index of refraction higher than that of the substrate. This construction forms a planar optical waveguide. A plurality of parallel optical fiber waveguides are coupled into one side of the planar optical waveguide by conventional techniques and a like plurality of parallel output optical fiber waveguides are coupled out at an opposite side. An integrated beam deflection element is formed adjacent to each separate one of the pluralities of input and output optical fiber waveguides and is associated with the optical fiber waveguide. The beam deflection elements are each capable of deflecting light rays incident on the element through a plurality of discrete deflection angles. The specific deflection angles for an element are associated with the various separate ones of the other kind of the input or output optical waveguides. Finally, a means is included for selectively energizing a beam deflection element associated with an input optical fiber waveguide and a beam deflection element associated with an output optical fiber waveguide in a manner such that a beam of light entering the switch via the input optical fiber waveguide is transmitted through the selected output optical fiber waveguide in a totally optical manner.