| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To obtain an optical switch which is less in light quantity loss, and generates stable foams with simple constitution, by forming one-dimensionally plural optical waveguides on a substrate, providing a liquid loading part loaded with a liquid whose refractive index is equal to that of the optical waveguide, at a prescribed angle between the adjacent waveguides, and providing a heating means on said part. CONSTITUTION:Two optical waveguides 4a, 4b are formed on one straight line on a substrate 2. A liquid filling part 8 filled with a liquid whose refractive index is roughly equal to that of the optical waveguides 4a, 4b is provided between the optical waveguides 4a, 4b at an angle of 45 deg. to the optical waveguides 4a, 4b. On the lower part of the liquid filling part 8, a heating resistor 10 is provided, and a resistance protective layer 4, an electrode 16 and a top board 12 are provided. Light advancing in the optical waveguide 4a travels straight in the liquid filling part 8 and advances in the optical waveguide 4b. When a current is made to flow to the heating resistor 10 through the electrode 16, air foams 18 are generated in the liquid filling part 8, and the light advancing in the optical waveguide 4a is totally reflected. |
