MEMS bistable optical switch and methods for use thereof

摘要

An optical switch including a bistable component, a reflective component, the reflective component being operatively connected to the bistable component, a first electrothermal bent beam actuator, a first contacting component operatively connected to the first electrothermal bent beam actuator component, the first electrothermal bent beam actuator component and the first contacting component disposed such as to enable advancing the bistable component and the reflective component from a first stable configuration to a second stable configuration, a second electrothermal bent beam actuator component and a second contacting component operatively connected to the second electrothermal bent beam actuator component, the second electrothermal bent beam actuator component and the second contacting component disposed such as to enable advancing the bistable component and the reflective component from the second stable configuration to the first stable configuration.