US5369718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch
Assignee: Furukawa Electric Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-10-13
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Granted: 1994-11-29
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Expires: 2012-10-13
Abstract
Abstract In a total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch which comprises optical waveguides crossing each other so that a refractive index changing region for developing a reflective surface is formed at a crossing section between the waveguides, the refractive index changing region has a configuration such that the reflective surface constitutes a concave surface recessed with respect to one lateral portion of the crossing section. When the refractive index changing region is not activated, incident light upon the spot corresponding to the reflective surface is insensitive to changes of the refractive index in the refractive index changing region, so that the initial crosstalk level can be lowered.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshiyuki Kamata
- 👤 Hisaharu Yanagawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/31; G02F1/313; G02F1/3137; G02F1/3138
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch, made of semiconductor material, the optical waveguide switch comprising: a pair of semiconductor optical waveguides crossing each other so that a refractive index changing region for reflecting light is formed at a crossing section between the waveguides of said pair of optical waveguides; said pair of optical waveguides and said refractive index changing region all being made of laminated layers of a semiconductor material, respectively; an electrode on said refractive index changing region for applying electrical energy to said refractive index changing region; and said refractive index changing region having a smoothly curved concave reflective surface recessed with respect to a lateral portion of said crossing section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch, made of semiconductor material, the optical waveguide switch comprising: a pair of semiconductor optical waveguides crossing each other so that a refractive index changing region for reflecting light is formed at a crossing section between the waveguides of said pair of optical waveguides; said pair of optical waveguides and said refractive index changing region all being made of laminated layers of a semiconductor material, respectively; an electrode on said refractive index changing region for applying electrical energy to said refractive index changing region; and said refractive index changing region having a smoothly curved concave reflective surface recessed with respect to a lateral portion of said crossing section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 1, wherein said concave portion is a curved surface defined by an arc of a circle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 1, wherein the intersection angle between said optical waveguides ranges from 4° to 6°, and the curve defining said concave portion is a circular arc having a curvature radius of 5 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 1, wherein said refractive index changing region is activated by current injection from said electrode on said refractive index changing region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 1, wherein said concave portion is a curved surface defined by an arc of an ellipse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 1, wherein said refractive index changing region is activated by voltage application from said electrode on said refractive index changing region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 1, wherein: said refractive index changing region contains a larger amount of impurity than the remaining region, the impurity contained in said refractive index changing region reaching a core layer of the optical waveguide switch; and a refractive index change being generated in the core layer by means of current injection from said electrode on said refractive index changing region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 7, wherein said refractive index changing region is formed by diffusing an impurity to a depth reaching the core layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 8, wherein said impurity comprises Zn.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 7, wherein said concave portion is a curved surface defined by an arc of a circle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 7, wherein said concave portion is a curved surface defined by an arc of an ellipse.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 7, wherein the intersection angle between said optical waveguides ranges from 4° to 6°, and the curve defining said concave portion is a circular arc having a curvature radius of 5 mm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 1, wherein: said refractive index changing region contains a larger amount of impurity than the remaining region, the impurity contained in said refractive index changing region reaching a core layer of the optical waveguide switch; and a refractive index change being generated in the core layer by means of voltage application from said electrode on said refractive index changing region.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 13, wherein said refractive index changing region is formed by diffusing an impurity to a depth reaching the core layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 14, wherein said impurity comprises Zn.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 13, wherein said concave portion is a curved surface defined by an arc of a circle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 13, wherein said concave portion is a curved surface defined by an arc of an ellipse.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 13, wherein the intersection angle between said optical waveguides ranges from 4° to 6°, and the curve defining said concave portion is a circular arc having a curvature radius of 5 mm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
76 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 1, wherein: said refractive index changing region contains a larger amount of impurity than the remaining region, the impurity contained in said refractive index changing region reaching the vicinity of a core layer of the optical waveguide switch; and a refractive index change being generated in the vicinity of the core layer by means of current injection from said electrode on said refractive index changing region.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 19, wherein said refractive index changing region is formed by diffusing an impurity to a depth reaching the vicinity of the core layer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 20, wherein said impurity comprises Zn.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 19, wherein said concave portion is a curved surface defined by an arc of a circle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 19, wherein said concave portion is a curved surface defined by an arc of an ellipse.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 19, wherein the intersection angle between said optical waveguides ranges from 4° to 6°, and the curve defining said concave portion is a circular arc having a curvature radius of 5 mm.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
76 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 1, wherein: said refractive index changing region contains a larger amount of impurity than the remaining region, the impurity contained in said refractive index changing region reaching the vicinity of a core layer of the optical waveguide switch; and a refractive index change being generated in the vicinity of the core layer by means of voltage application from said electrode on said refractive index changing region.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 25, wherein said refractive index changing region is formed by diffusing an impurity to a depth reaching the vicinity of the core layer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 26, wherein said impurity comprises Zn.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 25, wherein said concave portion is a curved surface defined by an arc of a circle.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 25, wherein said concave portion is a curved surface defined by an arc of an ellipse.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
A total internal reflection-type optical waveguide switch according to claim 25, wherein the intersection angle between said optical waveguides ranges from 4° to 6°, and the curve defining said concave portion is a circular arc having a curvature radius of 5 mm.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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