초록 ▼

A fused coupler optical switch (FCOS) of the present invention is an electrically switchable device that functions as a latching bi-directional optical cross bar switch with a first and a fourth optical ports at a first end, and, a second and third ports at a second end of the coupler, where a magne

A fused coupler optical switch (FCOS) of the present invention is an electrically switchable device that functions as a latching bi-directional optical cross bar switch with a first and a fourth optical ports at a first end, and, a second and third ports at a second end of the coupler, where a magnetic sleeve surrounds the second end of the coupler. A first stop block maintains the coupler in a first mechanical position and a second stop block maintains the coupler in a second mechanical position, where the first and second stop blocks are V-grooved stop blocks. In the first position, the first port is optically connected with the third port and the fourth port is connected with the second port. In the second position, the first port is optically connected with the second port and the fourth port is connected with the third port. The inventive optical switch may include a sensor element such as a Hall element for detecting the state of the optical switch.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An optical switch comprisingan optical coupler including first, second and third optical ports, an armature formed from a magnetic material for holding a portion of said coupler, a magnetic field generator for generating a first magnetic field state which acts on said armature for causing said co

1. An optical switch comprisingan optical coupler including first, second and third optical ports, an armature formed from a magnetic material for holding a portion of said coupler, a magnetic field generator for generating a first magnetic field state which acts on said armature for causing said coupler to be in a first mechanical position in which said first port is optically coupled to said third port and for generating a second magnetic field state which acts on said armature for causing said coupler to be in a second mechanical position in which said first port is optically coupled to said second port, a first stop block for maintaining said coupler in said first mechanical position, and a second stop block for maintaining said coupler in said second mechanical position, wherein said first and second stop blocks being V-grooved stop blocks.