Waveguide-type optical matrix switch
Patent 5247594 Issued on September 21, 1993. Estimated Expiration Date: 
March 20, 2012. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
March 20, 2012. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesOptical signal processing devices Optical switch of switched directional coupler type Optically controlled integrated optical switch Optical switch arrays Patent #: 4818050 InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 853989 filed on 03/20/1992US Classes:385/17, Matrix switch (i.e., M X N, where M and N are 3 or more)385/16, Switch (i.e., switching from one terminal to another, not modulation)385/20, Multiple pole multiple throw385/40, Electrodes on or near the coupling region385/41Directional couplerExaminersPrimary: Lee, John D.Assistant: Heartney, Phan T. Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassG02B 006/26Foreign Application Priority Data1991-03-22 JPAbstractA waveguide-type optical matrix switch including as its switching element a Mach-Zehnder interferometer which includes two directional couplers and an optical phase shifter. The two directional couplers are arranged by placing two optical waveguides in close proximity at two positions on a substrate, and have an identical coupling ratio. The optical phase shifter is disposed over at least one of the two optical waveguides between the directional couplers. The two optical waveguides have an effective optical path length difference of half a wavelength of a light signal between the two directional couplers, and are intersected in the optical switch element. The waveguide-type optical matrix switch is little affected by fabrication errors in the coupling ratio of the directional couplers, and superior in the extinction ratio.Other References
Field of SearchMatrix switch (i.e., M X N, where M and N are 3 or more)Switch (i.e., switching from one terminal to another, not modulation) Reflective-type switch Stationary waveguides with movable opaque element Multiple pole multiple throw Double pole multiple throw Single pole multiple throw (relay switch) Plural (e.g., data bus) Electrodes on or near the coupling region Directional coupler | |
