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 (52) from a liquid-containing trench (50) into available adjacent spacing (58). Typically, the adjacent spacing is formed between an optical waveguide substrate (54) and a heater substrate (56), where the heater substrate includes a microheater (68) for forming the bubble. The bubble enhancement is provided by intentionally altering surface features (60, 62, 64 and 66; 70, 72, 74, 76 and 78; 80 and 82; 86 and 88; 90 and 92; 96 and 98; 102 and 104; 110; and 114) along at least one of the substrates. <IMAGE>