Bubble stability in an optical switch

摘要

Bubble stability within an optical switch is enhanced by controlling the expansion or movement of a bubble from a liquid-containing trench into available adjacent spacing. Typically, the adjacent spacing is formed between an optical waveguide substrate and a heater substrate, where the heater substrate includes a microheater for forming the bubble. The bubble enhancement is provided by intentionally altering surface features along at least one of the substrates.