The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 08, 1999
Filed:
Nov. 18, 1997
William K Bischel, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Michael J Brinkman, Redwood City, CA (US);
David AG. Deacon, Los Altos, CA (US);
Edward J DeWath, Cupertino, CA (US);
Mark J Dyer, San Jose, CA (US);
Simon J Field, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Gemfire Corporation, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
An extremely low-loss optical switch element includes a first waveguide segment having first and second regions longitudinally-adjacent with each other and having an index of refraction difference which is greater when the switch element is in an 'on' state than when it is in an 'off' state. The two regions have a common boundary which is oriented at an angle in the first waveguide so as to redirect optical energy through total internal reflection when the switch element is in the 'on' state. The switch element further includes a second waveguide segment spaced from the first waveguide segment and disposed and oriented to guide optical energy redirected from the first waveguide segment when the switch element is in the 'on' state.