Optical switching using bubble-driven droplet

摘要

The present invention provides an optical switch in which generated bubbles displace a droplet to change the transmission characteristics of an optical path. A structure defines a cavity that is divided into first and second chambers that are in fluid communication with each other. The structure also defines an optical path that intersects the first chamber. The cavity is filled with a combination of liquids including a droplet and a displaceable liquid. Generating a bubble in the chamber containing the droplet moves the droplet to the other chamber, displacing the other liquid accordingly; the bubbles can be generating by heating resistors adjacent to each of the chambers. The index of refraction of the droplet differs from that of the displaceable liquid so that moving the droplet changes the transmission characteristics of the optical path.