INTEGRATED OPTICAL DEVICE

摘要

An integrated optical device for selectively directing light form one or more input waveguides (2; 12A ) to one or more output waveguides (3; 13A ), the device comprising: a slab waveguide (4); one or more input waveguides (2; 12A ) directing light into the slab waveguide (4); one or more output waveguides (3; 13A) recei ving light form the input waveguide(s) after it has travelled through the slab waveguide (4); and one or more refracting portions (4A; 15A , 16A ) the refractive index of which can be altered to refract the light as it passes therethrough, whereby transmission of light between the input and output waveguide(s) can be selectively controlled. A 1xn switch and an nxn switch is described. Such a refracting portion may be used to steer a light beam. It may also be shaped to function in the manner of an optical component, e.g. a prism or lens.