| 摘要 |
<p><P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an optical switch operating with little charged electric power and requiring only a short switching period, and a low-cost method for manufacturing the same. <P>SOLUTION: In the optical switch 10 equipped with heaters 41, 42 to selectively impart a photothermal effect to either one out of cores 21, 22 on the light emitting side of a Y branched optical waveguide, grooves 51, 52 to restrict heat conduction to the sides opposite to the cores 21, 22, to which the photothermal effect with heat generated by the heaters 41, 42 is imparted, are provided. Thereby heat formerly dissipated to surroundings is confined inside the grooves 51, 52, the desired cores 21, 22 are effectively heated and the power saving optical switch is realized. Furthermore, because heat capacity corresponding to temperature elevation with the heaters 41, 42 is reduced by the grooves 51, 52, response of the optical switch 10 based on the photothermal effect is quickened. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO</p> |
