Light activated optical switch that includes a piezoelectric element and a conductive layer
OwnerGary N. Pooveyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A light activated optical switch includes at least one conductive layer located adjacent to a piezoelectric element to enhance the electrical field that is applied to the piezoelectric element in response to an activation light. The conductive layer has free electrons or electron holes that collect on a surface adjacent to the piezoelectric element when the activation light is applied to the piezoelectric element. The collection of free electrons near the piezoelectric element enhances the electrical field that is applied to the piezoelectric element in response to the activation light. The enhanced electrical field is used to enhance the performance of the piezoelectric element and ultimately to enhance the performance of the optical switch.
Claims23
A method for operating an optical switch, the method comprising:
- applying a signal light to an optical switch that comprises a piezoelectric element and at least one conductive layer adjacent to the piezoelectric element;
- and
- applying an activation light to the piezoelectric element to change the state of the optical switch;
- wherein the conductive layer enhances an electrical field applied to the piezoelectric element in response to the applied activation light, said activation light being operative to activate said switch without impinging on said piezoelectric element.
An optical switch comprising:
- a signal channel configured to guide a signal light;
- a piezoelectric element adjacent to the signal channel;
- and
- a conductive layer adjacent to the piezoelectric element;
- wherein passage of the signal light through the signal channel is controlled by the application of an activation light to the piezoelectric element and wherein the conductive layer enhances an electrical field applied to the piezoelectric element in response to the activation light, said activation light being operative to activate said switch without impinging on said piezoelectric element.
A method for operating an optical switch, the method comprising:
- applying a signal light to a signal channel, the signal channel being adjacent to a piezoelectric element that is adjacent to at least one conductive layer;
- and
- applying an activation light to the piezoelectric element to change the shape of the piezoelectric element such that the signal light is prevented from passing through the signal channel,
- wherein the conductive layer enhances an electrical field applied to the piezoelectric element in response to the applied activation light, said activation light being operative to activate said switch without impinging on said piezoelectric element.
An optical switch comprising:
- a signal channel configured to guide a signal light;
- a piezoelectric element adjacent to the signal channel;
- a conductive layer adjacent to the piezoelectric element;
- and
- means for applying an activation light to the piezoelectric element to change the shape of the piezoelectric element such that the signal light is prevented from passing through the signal channel;
- wherein the conductive layer enhances an electrical field applied to the piezoelectric element in response to the applied activation light, said activation light being operative to activate said switch without impinging on said piezoelectric element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.