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:
Apr. 01, 2003
Filed:
Jul. 10, 2001
Robert O. Miller, Carrollton, TX (US);
Jeffrey A. Reed, Garland, TX (US);
Optical Switch Corporation, Richardson, TX (US);
Abstract
A method for reconfiguring an optical switch includes selecting a first path through a photonic crystal. The crystal includes the first path having a plurality of first regions and a second path having a plurality of second regions. The crystal also includes a third path that provides an optical signal for propagation through one of the first and second paths. The method also includes heating at least one of the first regions and at least one of the second regions. The method further includes cooling the first region at a first rate to place the first region in a first state. The first state allows propagation of the optical signal through at least a portion of the crystal. In addition, the method includes cooling the second region at a second rate to place the second region in a second state. The second state reduces the propagation of the optical signal through at least a portion of the crystal.