Stable optical switch with reduced power consumption

摘要

The optical switch operates in two stages. In the first stage, the bubble is "blown" into the trench. In the second stage, the sidewalls are heated to achieve a dry wall condition by improving the thermal transfer path from the heat source to the reflecting wall. Seperate side heaters are placed in thermal contact to the sidewalls. This results in a switch that is more stable, energy efficient, and has a longer mean time to failure.