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. 17, 2005
Filed:
Apr. 15, 2003
Matt Schwiebert, Cupertino, CA (US);
Frederik Sporon-fiedler, Redwood City, CA (US);
Matt Schwiebert, Cupertino, CA (US);
Frederik Sporon-Fiedler, Redwood City, CA (US);
Agilent Technologies, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for switching optical signal is disclosed. An optical signal switch array includes a plurality of optical switches, each optical switch having a first trench adapted to hold index-matching fluid, and a second trench adapted to hold the index-matching fluid, but initially containing gas, the second trench connected to said first trench. A first expansion chamber is connected to the first trench, the first expansion chamber adapted to hold gas. A second expansion chamber is connected to the second trench, the second expansion chamber adapted to hold gas. To effect switching, the first expansion chamber is heated expanding gas in the first expansion chamber, the expanding gas shifting the index-matching fluid in the first trench to the second trench. Bistability is achieved by the use of capillary action, which passively holds the droplet of working fluid in either of two stable states until actuation.