| 摘要 |
A planar waveguide integrated optic switch (10)suitable for use in optical cross-connect applications. A narrow trench (13) in the planar waveguide cor e layer (12) is filled with a liquid crystal (14) material possessing positive birefringence. When held at a temperature a few degrees above the clearing point, the liquids crystal's isotropic refractive index is matched to that o f the core layer allowing nearly complete optical transmission (17C) through t he switch. When held at a temperature a few degrees below the clearing point, t he liquid crystal's ordinary refractive index is lower than that of the core layer and both polarizations of the incident optical radiation are totally reflected (17b) from the trench. When coupled with planar waveguide beam expanding and refocusing elements, arrays of the switches can be used to for m an optical cross-connect capable of fully interconnecting linear arrays of single- or multi-mode optical fibers with very low optical loss. By controlling the liquid crystal temperature at more than one location along t he trench, the switch can be configured to operate as a variable attenuator.</S DOAB>
|
