Multiple optical fibre switch - has metallic electrodes connected to optical fibres lying opposite one another with variable transparency material between them

摘要

The optic-fibre switch has between the optical fibres (2-5) a material (6) which changes its light transmittance under the influence of electrical and/or magnetic fields. Devices (7-10) are provided to ensure that the material between the fibres can be exposed to these fields. The material between the optical fibres may be a nematic liquid changing its light transmittance under the influence of an electrical field and contained with the fibre ends inside a housing to which electrodes are attached to generate an electrical field.