| 摘要 |
<p>An optical switch is constituted of a cell member 2 in whose interior cells 3 are formed and a waveguide member 42 having f ine slits 13, and a gas 31 is filled in cells 3 of which side walls 6 are formed by piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements or antiferroelectric elements, a liquid 32 is filled in the fine slits 13, and the cells 3 and the fine slits 13 are communicated to each other via a communicating hole 73, optical waveguides intersect at the fine slits 13, and the cells 3 are disposed at the crossing locations, and the side walls 6 are expanded/constricted by applying an electric field to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements or antiferroelectric elements which form the side walls 6 of the cells 3, and a part of the gas 31 stored in each cell 3 is ejected at a corresponding intersection area from the communicating hole 73 into the corresponding fine slit 13. The optical switch is able to suppresses an increase in the power loss, even for an increased response speed, and further provide a reduction in the manufacturing cost, excellent durability, and very small consumptive power. <IMAGE></p> |
