Optical switch e.g. for planar waveguide in telecommunications, uses polymer for material with variable refractive index

摘要

An optical switch has a first and at least one second waveguide (1;4) made of a high refractive index material (N1), which is embedded in a housing material (9) with a low refractive index (N2), in which the waveguide forms a coupling region (6) where light can enter from first into the second waveguide or vice versa, under certain conditions. A section (7) of the second waveguide (4) of the coupling zone (6) comprises a material whose refractive index is varied (NVAR) by a temperature change, application of an electric field or illumination with light, so that light depending on the set refractive index (NVAR) in the first waveguide remains or at least partly goes over into the second waveguide (4).