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:
May. 16, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 05, 1998
Andrea Castoldi, Monza, IT;
Pirelli Cavi E Sistemi S.p.A., Milan, IT;
Abstract
A digital optical switch includes an input waveguide connected to a Y-shaped branching waveguide having two legs, each of the legs being connected to an output waveguide. Each output waveguide forms one waveguide of a directional coupler, the other waveguide of which has its output dissipated into the substrate. Electrodes are connected to voltage sources such that the switch is operative between two states. In the first state, transmission of optical energy is enhanced between the input waveguide and the first output waveguide and inhibited between the input waveguide and the second output waveguide. Coupling between the first output waveguide and the other waveguide of its respective directional coupler is inhibited and coupling between the second output waveguide and the other waveguide of its respective directional coupler is enhanced. In the second state, transmission of optical energy is inhibited between the input waveguide and the first output waveguide and enhanced between the input waveguide and the second output waveguide. Coupling between the first output waveguide and the other waveguide of its respective directional coupler is enhanced and coupling between the second output waveguide and the other waveguide of its respective directional coupler is inhibited.