An optical switch structure based on a thermoresponsive polymer

摘要

An apparatus such as a switch comprises a substrate 110 having a well formed thereon. A thermoresponsive polymer 112 is disposed in the well. The thermoresponsive polymer has a mirror 828 disposed thereon. The thermoresponsive polymer has an expanded volume at a lower temperature and the mirror is disposed in a position to reflect an optical signal 832. The thermoresponsive polymer has a contracted volume at a higher temperature and the mirror is disposed in a second position to not reflect the optical signal 832.