Wavelength-specific optical switch

A method for switching between reflection and absorption of wavelength bands in a tunable range comprising

• receiving a control signal to determine selection between transmission or absorption of light in one or more wavelength bands within an optical bandwidth;
• selectively transmitting or absorbing light in the one or more wavelength bands in response to the control signal by using a thermochromic filter, which operations further comprise
• receiving temperature information from the thermochromic filter;
• and
• heating and cooling the thermochromic filter to adjust a temperature of the thermochromic filter and thereby select between transmission or absorption of the one or more wavelength bands;
• and
• reflecting light transmitted within the one or more wavelength bands.

An optical device that switches between reflection and absorption of wavelength bands in a tunable range comprising

• a plurality of tunable optical filters that selectively transmit or absorb light in a plurality of respective wavelength bands within an optical bandwidth, wherein at least one of the tunable optical filters further comprises a thermochromic filter;
• a plurality of band reflectors, wherein each band reflector is paired with a respective tunable optical filter and reflects light selectively transmitted by the respective tunable optical filter within the respective wavelength bands;
• and
• a control unit that sends control signals to the plurality of tunable optical filters to select between transmission or absorption of the respective wavelength bands, wherein the control unit further comprises
• a heating device coupled with the thermochromic filter;
• a cooling device coupled with the thermochromic filter;
• a temperature sensor coupled with the thermochromic filter;
• and
• a temperature regulating unit connected to each of the heating device, the cooling device, and the temperature sensor,
• wherein the temperature regulating unit receives temperature data from the temperature sensor and sends control signals to the heating device and the cooling device to adjust the temperature of the thermochromic filter and thereby select between transmission or absorption of the one or more wavelength bands.