Fiber-optic circuit element

摘要

A fiber-optic circuit element is provided of the type for coupling signal light from a first optical fiber to at least one second optical fiber wherein at least one of the optical fibers has a free end which is controllably movable to be in or out of alignment with the other fibers. Movement of the free end of the fiber is achieved by an expansion layer applied to the fiber and acting as a heatable bimetallic element. Heating of the expansion layer can be achieved by absorption of electromagnetic radiation, including an independent source of control light and/or a portion of the signal light itself. Electrical heating mechanisms can also be used. This circuit element can be advantageously used without limit in optical switches, astable multivibrators, bistable multivibrators, optical resonators, and environmental temperature and pressure detectors.