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. 13, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 27, 2000
Stephen J. Caracci, Elmira, NY (US);
Thomas M. Leslie, Horseheads, NY (US);
Robert G. Lindquist, Elmira, NY (US);
Rui-Qing Ma, Painted Post, NY (US);
James V. Suggs, Corning, NY (US);
Corning Incorporated, Corning, NY (US);
Abstract
A non-blocking N×N cross-connect is provided that has an array of liquid crystal (LC) switches in a grid of planar optical waveguides within a light optical circuit (LOC). LC-filled trenches are used in a planar optical waveguide and each trench provides the functionality of a waveguide polarization splitter, a transverse electric (TE) switch cross-point, a transverse magnetic (TM) switch cross-point, or a waveguide polarization combiner. The planar optical waveguide has a refractive index substantially equal to the lowest index of refraction of the LC material. By combining these elements, a cross-connect system is fabricated. Also disclosed is a dynamically adjustable prism constructed with a liquid crystal material.