Optical switch

#The present invention relates to an optical switch. More specifically, the present invention relates to an optical switch suitable for an optical communication system, an optical storage device, an optical arithmetic unit, an optical recorder, an optical printer and so forth, particularly, for the optical communication system in which a multichannel optical switch is desired to perform switching for each specific beam.

#With recent developments in optical communication technology, optical switches have been sought that allow high-speed response, size reduction, high integration, low power consumption, and reduction of signal attenuation.

#Conventionally-known optical switches include the ones in which liquid crystal is used, optical fibers are moved by a mechanical device using an electromagnet, a micromirror is used and so forth.

#FIGS. 1(a), (b) and (c) are explanatory views, displaying one embodiment of an optical switch of the present invention: FIG. 1(a) shows a state in which an optical path-changing portion is separated from a light transmission portion; FIG. 1(b) shows a state in which the optical path-changing portion is in contact with the light transmission portion; and FIG. 1(c) shows a plane facing the optical path-changing portion and a plane corresponding to the optical path-changing portion in the light transmission portion.

#FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing another embodiment of an optical switch of the present invention.

#FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing another embodiment of an optical switch of the present invention.

#FIGS. 1(a), (b), and (c) are explanatory views schematically showing one embodiment of an optical switch of the present invention: FIG. 1(a) shows a state in which an optical path-changing portion is separated from a light transmission portion, FIG. 1(b) shows a state in which the optical path-changing portion is in contact with the light transmission portion, and FIG. 1(c) shows a plane facing the optical path-changing portion and a plane corresponding to the optical path-changing portion in the light transmission portion.

#As shown in FIG. 1(a), under a condition where an actuator portion 11 is run by external signals such as voltage in the optical switch of one embodiment of the present invention, an optical path-changing portion 8 is separated from a light transmission portion 1 by displacement of the actuator portion 11. Light 21 that is input to an light transmission channel 2 of the light transmission portion 1, is totally reflected at a light reflecting plane 1a of the light transmission portion 1 where a refractive index is adjusted to a predetermined value, without transmitting the light. The light is transmitted to one light transmission channel 4 on an output side.

#On the other hand, when the actuator portion 11 is reversed to a non-operation state from this condition, the displacement of the actuator 11 is reset as shown in FIG. 1(b). A light introduction member 9 of the optical path-changing portion 8 contacts the light transmission portion 1 at a distance less than a wavelength of light. Thus, the light 21 input to the light transmission channel 2 is taken to the light introduction member 9 from the light transmission portion 1 by the light introduction member 9, and is transmitted through the light introduction member 9. The light 21 transmitted through the light introduction member 9 reaches a light reflection member 10. The light is reflected at a reflecting plane 10a of the light reflection member 10, and is transmitted to another output-side light transmission channel 5 in a direction different from the direction of the light reflected at the light reflecting plane 10a of the light reflection member 10.