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:
Mar. 25, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 06, 2001
David Kindler, Concord, MA (US);
Mark Steinback, Newton, MA (US);
Zygo Corporation, Middlefield, CT (US);
Abstract
An optical switching element for use in an optical cross-bar array, includes a magnetically responsive curtain that switches between an extended state and a deflected state in response to an applied switching-field. The switching element includes a curtain that moves in response to a magnetic field. The curtain has a fixed edge attached to a substrate and a free edge opposite the fixed edge. A first magnetic-field source magnetically coupled to the curtain generates a first magnetic field that urges the curtain into an extended position in which the curtain intercepts the optical beam. A second magnetic-field source, also magnetically coupled to the curtain, generates a second magnetic field that urges the curtain into a deflected position in which the curtain avoids intercepting the optical beam.