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US 2023/0324608 A1Published application
Optical switch having latched switch states and associated methods
AssigneeEagle Technology, LLC
InventorsBRIAN ROBERDS, EDWARD W. MILES
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical switch has latched switch states and includes optical fibers that are laterally joined together to define an optical switching portion. At least one phase change material (PCM) layer is on the optical switching portion so that a phase of the PCM layer determines a latched switch state from among the latched switch states.
Claims25
An optical switch having a plurality of latched switch states and comprising:
- a plurality of individual optical fibers having respective adjacent tapered medial portions laterally joined together to define an optical switching portion with a tapered diameter shape;
- and
- at least one phase change material (PCM) layer on the optical switching portion so that a phase of the PCM layer determines a latched switch state from among the plurality of latched switch states.
(canceled)
An optical switching array device comprising:
- a plurality of optical switches arranged in an array, each optical switch of the plurality of optical switches having a plurality of latched switch states and comprising
- a plurality of individual optical fibers having respective adjacent tapered medial portions laterally joined together to define an optical switching portion with a tapered diameter shape, and
- at least one phase change material (PCM) layer on the optical switching portion so that a phase of the PCM layer determines a latched switch state from among the plurality of latched switch states.
(canceled)
A method for making an optical switch having a plurality of latched switch states, the method comprising:
- laterally joining together respective adjacent tapered medial portions of a plurality of individual optical fibers to define an optical switching portion having a tapered diameter shape;
- and
- forming at least one phase change material (PCM) layer on the optical switching portion so that a phase of the PCM layer determines a latched switch state from among the plurality of latched switch states.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.