An optical switching device and method utilizing fluid pressure control to improve switching characteristics

摘要

A switching device (50) includes a substrate (27), a first waveguide segment (22), a second waveguide segment (24), a heating device (35), a liquid (34), and a pressure controlling mechanism (52). The substrate (27) is coupled to the first waveguide segment (22) and the second waveguide segment (24), and the substrate (27) includes a chamber (54) that separates the first waveguide segment (22) from the second waveguide segment (24). The liquid (34) is disposed in the chamber (54) and is responsive to the heating device (35). The pressure controlling mechanism (52) controls a pressure in the chamber (54) such that inadvertent bubbles (42) are prevented from forming between the first waveguide segment (22) and the second waveguide segment (24).