Method and structure for a solid slug caterpillar piezoelectric optical relay

摘要

A method and structure for an optical switch. According to the structure and method of the present invention, a gas-filled chamber is housed within a solid material. A plurality of contacts within the gas-filled chamber are coupled to the solid material, while a plurality of piezoelectric elements within the gas-filled chamber are also coupled to the solid material. A slug within the gas-filled chamber is coupled to one or more of the plurality of contacts and further coupled to one or more of the plurality of piezoelectric elements. A liquid metal within the gas-filled chamber is coupled to the slug, and coupled to the plurality of contacts. The actuation of the one or more piezoelectric elements causes the slug to move from a first number of contacts to a second number of contacts wetted by the liquid metal.