| 摘要 |
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for compact, high-speed, latched optical switching devices utilizing bimorph piezoelectric material. The apparatus employs an optical switching prism, that is capable of interchanging two parallel beams, to construct a 2x2 optical switch. In order to construct compact and high-speed switches, the prism has to be small and light-weigh, thus, the separation of the two parallel beams becomes small. A pair of reflection corner mirror capable of separating these two close parallel beams is used. The switching is performed by vertically inserting the prism into the optical path and only less than one millimeter (limited by the beam size) movement is required. Because the switching is based on beam deflection instead of reflection, it is not vulnerable to vibration.
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