Pressure-actuated bi-stable optical switch

摘要

Pressure-actuated bi-stable optical switching is provided. In this regard, a pressure-actuated bi-stable optical switch 200 includes an optical path and a cavity (216) intersecting the optical path. The cavity defines a first position along the optical path and a second position displaced from the optical path. An index-matching liquid (218), which exhibits an index of refraction closer to an index of refraction of the optical path than to that of a vacuum, is arranged within the cavity. A pressure generator (212) generates pressure that selective moves the liquid (218) between the first and second positions. Additionally, a potential profile maintains the liquid in the one of the first and second positions to which it was most recently moved while the pressure generator is not generating pressure. Methods, systems and other switches also are provided.