Rolling shutter optical switch device with dimples on shutter, annular rim at optical port and shortened shutter attachment edge

An optical switch device comprising:

• a substrate;
• a flexible membrane attached at at least one end to a surface of the substrate in proximity to an optical port portion of the substrate, the flexible membrane being configured such that, in a first state, the flexible membrane is disposed over the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the flexible membrane, and, in a second state, the flexible membrane is disposed to expose the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the optical port portion of the substrate;
• and
• a raised annular rim member formed on the substrate around the optical port portion of the substrate such that, when the flexible membrane is in the first state, a bottom surface of the flexible membrane contacts the raised annular rim member.

An optical switch device comprising:

• a substrate;
• and
• a flexible membrane attached at at least one end to a surface of the substrate in proximity to an optical port region of the substrate, the flexible membrane being configured such that, in a first state, the flexible membrane is disposed over the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the flexible membrane, and, in a second state, the flexible membrane is disposed to expose the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the optical port portion of the substrate;
• wherein
• the flexible member is attached to the substrate at an attachment edge of the flexible member extending along a width dimension of the flexible member, the flexible member being tapered such that the attachment edge of the flexible member is shorter than the width of the flexible member measured at the portion of the flexible member that covers the optical port portion of the substrate when the flexible member is in the first state.

An optical switching method comprising:

• a substrate;
• a flexible membrane attached at at least one end to a surface of the substrate in proximity to an optical port portion of the substrate, the flexible membrane being configured such that, in a first state, the flexible membrane is disposed over the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the flexible membrane, and, in a second state, the flexible membrane is disposed to expose the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the optical port portion of the substrate;
• and
• a plurality of dimples formed on the flexible membrane such that when the flexible membrane is in the first state, the flexible membrane contacts the substrate at the dimples.

An optical switching method comprising:

• a substrate;
• a flexible membrane attached at at least one end to a surface of the substrate in proximity to an optical port portion of the substrate, the flexible membrane being configured such that, in a first state, the flexible membrane is disposed over the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the flexible membrane, and, in a second state, the flexible membrane is disposed to expose the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the optical port portion of the substrate;
• and
• a raised annular rim member formed on the substrate around the optical port portion of the substrate such that, when the flexible membrane is in the first state, a bottom surface of the flexible membrane contacts the raised annular rim member.

An optical switching method comprising:

• a substrate;
• and
• a flexible membrane attached at at least one end to a surface of the substrate in proximity to an optical port region of the substrate, the flexible membrane being configured such that, in a first state, the flexible membrane is disposed over the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the flexible membrane, and, in a second state, the flexible membrane is disposed to expose the optical port portion of the substrate such that light directed toward the optical port portion of the substrate impinges on the optical port portion of the substrate;
• wherein
• the flexible member is attached to the substrate at an attachment edge of the flexible member extending along a width dimension of the flexible member, the flexible member being tapered such that the attachment edge of the flexible member is shorter than the width of the flexible member measured at the portion of the flexible member that covers the optical port portion of the substrate when the flexible member is in the first state.