JP5072450B2 - Light switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical switch that is used in an optical communication system, for example, and guides an optical signal from an arbitrary input port to an arbitrary output port by switching an optical signal path.

  In a conventional optical switch, a plurality of optical waveguides are provided on a waveguide film, and these optical waveguides cross each other. A switching groove comprising a pair of groove wall surfaces is provided at the intersection of the optical waveguides. Further, tweezers-shaped pin pairs are inserted on both sides of the switching groove of the waveguide film, and the tip portions (end portions on the anti-coupling side) of the pin pairs are magnetically coated. And by applying a magnetic force to the tip part of this pin pair, the polymer waveguide film is bent and deformed, the contact / separation state between the groove wall surfaces is changed, and the traveling direction of light is switched (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-194556

  In the conventional optical switch as described above, since a pair of tweezers is used, in order to self-hold the open state between the tip portions against the magnetic attractive force between the tip portions of the pin pair, It was necessary to set the height of the pin pair to be large to some extent, and the size of the entire apparatus was increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain an optical switch capable of reducing the size of the structure.

An optical switch according to the present invention includes: a first optical waveguide that forms an optical signal path; a second optical waveguide that is branched from the first optical waveguide and that forms an optical signal path different from the first optical waveguide; There are first and second groove wall surfaces that face each other and can be separated from and separated from each other, provided with a switching groove that is disposed at a branch point and switches an optical signal path by reflecting / transmitting an optical signal, and is capable of bending deformation. waveguide film, provided on the first groove wall surface side with respect to the switching groove waveguide film, sandwiched undeformed holding means for holding the waveguide fill arm of the first groove wall surface side for switching groove, and the switching groove waveguide film The first and second groove wall surfaces are provided on the opposite side of the non-deformable holding means by applying pressure toward the switching groove on the second groove wall surface side with respect to the switching groove of the waveguide film to bend and deform the waveguide film. Join The switching groove is in a state of transmitting an optical signal, and pressure is applied in the direction opposite to the switching groove on the second groove wall surface side with respect to the switching groove of the waveguide film to bend and deform the waveguide film to the opposite side of the transmission state. And a contact / separation drive mechanism for separating the first and second groove wall surfaces to bring the switching groove into a reflection state of the optical signal, and the contact / separation drive mechanism includes a rotation pin that can rotate through the waveguide film. A connecting member that is provided with a hollow portion and inserted into the rotating pin, and an actuator that is connected to the rotating pin via the connecting member and rotates the rotating pin. The dimension is larger than the outer peripheral dimension of the rotation pin .

  In the optical switch of the present invention, the non-deformed state of the waveguide film on the first groove wall surface side with respect to the switching groove is maintained by the non-deformation holding means, and the contact / separation disposed on the second groove wall surface side with respect to the switching groove. Since the drive mechanism switches between the reflection state and the transmission state of the optical signal in the switching groove, the tweezer-shaped pin pair as in the conventional optical switch is not necessary, and the structure can be miniaturized.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a perspective view showing an optical switch according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. FIG. 1 shows a single switching unit in an N × N optical switch. In the figure, a polymer waveguide film 1 is formed by film formation of a fluorinated polyimide resin by spin coating. Further, the polymer waveguide film 1 can be bent and deformed. Furthermore, the thickness dimension of the polymer waveguide film 1 is, for example, 50 μm.

  Further, a core material having a slightly higher refractive index than that of the fluorinated polyimide resin is embedded in the polymer waveguide film 1. This core material constitutes the first and second optical waveguides 1a and 1b. The first optical waveguide 1a and the second optical waveguide 1b form different optical signal paths. Further, the intermediate portions of the first optical waveguide 1a and the second optical waveguide 1b are connected orthogonally to each other. That is, the second optical waveguide 1b is branched from the first optical waveguide 1a. In the polymer waveguide film 1, a switching groove (cut groove) 1c is provided by cleaving at the intersection (connection location) between the first optical waveguide 1a and the second optical waveguide 1b.

  The switching groove 1c has first and second groove wall surfaces 1d and 1e facing each other. The first groove wall surface 1d and the second groove wall surface 1e can be contacted / separated (opened / closed) when the polymer waveguide film 1 is bent and deformed. Here, the switching groove 1c is disposed so as to totally reflect the optical signal passing through the first optical waveguide 1a and to guide it to the second optical waveguide 1b, and the first and second groove wall surfaces 1d and 1e are provided with the first groove. And the angle with respect to 2nd optical waveguide 1a, 1b is an angle which satisfy | fills the total reflection conditions between air layers.

  Further, when the first groove wall surface 1d and the second groove wall surface 1e are joined, the switching groove 1c transmits an optical signal passing through the first optical waveguide 1a and advances straight (as shown in FIG. Point B → Point C). Further, the switching groove 1c totally reflects the optical signal passing through the first optical waveguide 1a and guides it to the second optical waveguide 1b when the first groove wall surface 1d and the second groove wall surface 1e are separated from each other ( Point A → Point B → Point D in the figure).

  The polymer waveguide film 1 is provided with round holes 1f at an interval of, for example, about 150 μm from the intersection of the first optical waveguide 1a and the second optical waveguide 1b to the second groove wall surface 1e side. Further, on the side opposite to the switching groove 1c (left side in the figure) of the round hole 1f in the polymer waveguide film 1, there is provided a stress release hole 1g for relaxing the stress inside the polymer waveguide film 1 at the time of bending deformation. Yes.

  The rotation pin 2 is inserted into the round hole 1f so as to be in close contact with the inner wall. That is, the rotation pin 2 penetrates the polymer waveguide film 1. The diameter dimension of the rotation pin 2 and the round hole 1f is, for example, 125 μm. Moreover, the rotation pin 2 is formed, for example with the glass fiber. Furthermore, the rotation pin 2 can be rotated around the penetration portion of the polymer waveguide film 1. Furthermore, the rotation pin 2 is rotated so as to be inclined toward the opening side of the switching groove 1c, so that it is directed toward the switching groove 1c on the second groove wall surface 1e side with respect to the switching groove 1c of the waveguide film 1. Pressure is applied.

  On the side of the first groove wall surface 1d with respect to the switching groove 1c of the polymer waveguide film 1 (on the opposite side of the round hole 1f across the switching groove 1c), a hard member 3 is provided as a non-deformation holding means. The hard member 3 is attached to both surfaces (upper surface and lower surface) of the polymer waveguide film 1. Further, the hard member 3 maintains the non-deformed state of the polymer waveguide film 1 on the first groove wall surface 1d side with respect to the switching groove 1c. For the hard member 3, a material harder than the polymer waveguide film 1 is used, and for example, a metal plate, a glass plate, or the like is used.

  Here, when the first groove wall surface 1d and the second groove wall surface 1e are in the separated state, the rotation pin 2 is rotated so as to be inclined toward the opening side of the switching groove 1c (indicated by an arrow in the figure). E) On the second groove wall surface 1e side with respect to the switching groove 1c of the waveguide film 1, pressure is applied toward the switching groove 1c. The polymer waveguide film 1 is bent and deformed by the pressure generated by the rotation of the rotation pin 2. In this state, since the polymer waveguide film 1 is held in an undeformed state by the hard member 3, the first groove wall surface 1d and the second groove wall surface 1e are joined to each other, and the switching groove 1c is connected to the optical signal. It becomes a transmission state.

  On the other hand, when the first groove wall surface 1d and the second groove wall surface 1e are joined, by rotating so that the rotation pin 2 is inclined toward the opposite side of the switching groove 1c (arrow F in the figure). On the second groove wall surface 1e side with respect to the switching groove 1c of the waveguide film 1, pressure is applied toward the opposite side of the switching groove 1c. The polymer waveguide film 1 is bent and deformed by the pressure generated by the rotation of the rotation pin 2. In this state, since the polymer waveguide film 1 is held in an undeformed state by the hard member 3, the first groove wall surface 1d and the second groove wall surface 1e are separated from each other, and the switching groove 1c becomes an optical signal. It becomes a reflection state.

  A connecting member 4 is attached to the upper end of the rotating pin 2. An electromagnetic actuator 6 that generates a driving force is coupled to the connection member 4 via a rod-shaped coupling member 5. The rotation pin 2 is rotated by the driving force of the electromagnetic actuator 6. The electromagnetic actuator 6 is equivalent to a contact driving mechanism of a relay, and is a plunger that is coupled to the connecting member 5 and operates integrally with the connecting member 5, and a spring that biases the plunger toward one side in the width direction of the switching groove 1c. And a coil for displacing the plunger to the other side in the width direction of the switching groove 1c against the spring force of the spring (both not shown). Here, the rotation pin 2, the connecting member 4, the connecting member 5, and the electromagnetic actuator 6 constitute a contact / separation driving mechanism.

  Next, the operation will be described. First, as an initial state, the rotation pin 2 is arranged so as to be inclined toward the opening side of the switching groove 1c as indicated by an arrow E. In this state, the polymer waveguide film 1 is bent and deformed from the second groove wall surface 1e side to the first groove wall surface 1d side, and by the hard member 3 on the first groove wall surface 1d side with respect to the switching groove 1c. Since the non-deformed state of the polymer waveguide film 1 is maintained, the first groove wall surface 1d and the second groove wall surface 1e are joined to each other. As a result, the optical signal from the arrow a passes through the switching groove 1c and goes straight, and travels in the direction of the arrow b.

  Further, from this state, when the electromagnetic actuator 6 is driven and rotated so that the rotation pin 2 is inclined to the opposite side of the switching groove 1c as indicated by an arrow F, the polymer waveguide film 1 is in the second groove. The polymer waveguide film 1 is deformed by bending from the wall surface 1e side to the opposite side of the first groove wall surface 1d, and the rigid member 3 holds the undeformed state of the polymer waveguide film 1 on the first groove wall surface 1d side with respect to the switching groove 1c. Thus, the first groove wall surface 1d and the second groove wall surface 1e are separated from each other. At this time, the optical signal from the arrow a is totally reflected between the switching groove 1c and the air layer and travels in the direction of the arrow c. That is, the optical signal path from the switching groove 1c is switched between the first optical waveguide 1a and the second optical waveguide 1b by the contact / separation state between the first groove wall surface 1d and the second groove wall surface 1e.

  In the optical switch as described above, the non-deformed state of the waveguide film 1 on the first groove wall surface 1b side with respect to the switching groove 1c is maintained by the hard member 3, and the second groove wall surface 1e side with respect to the switching groove 1c. Since the rotation state of the optical signal in the switching groove 1c is switched by the arranged rotation pin 2, the tweezer-shaped pin pair as in the conventional optical switch is not required, and the size of the entire apparatus Can be reduced in size.

  In addition, a magnetic drive mechanism such as a film coil or magnetic coating as in the conventional optical switch is not required, so that the structure can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the electromagnetic actuator 6 is composed of an electromagnetic actuator, the structure can be made cheaper and the reliability of the operation can be improved.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the optical switch according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the connection member 4 has a circular hollow portion, and the connection member 4 is inserted into the rotation pin 2. Here, the inner diameter dimension of the connection member 4 is, for example, 10 μm or more larger than the outer dimension of the rotation pin 2. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation will be described. When the upper end portion of the rotation pin 2 is inclined toward the opening side of the switching groove 1c (solid line in the figure), the connection member 4 is opened from the switching groove 1c by the electromagnetic actuator 6 as indicated by an arrow G. When displaced in the direction of separating, the rotation pin 2 is rotated so as to be inclined in the direction opposite to the opening of the switching groove 1c as indicated by an arrow H in accordance with the displacement of the connecting member 4. . At this time, the contact location between the outer periphery of the rotating pin 2 and the inner periphery of the connection member 4 changes to the opposite side of 180 ° on the inner periphery of the connection member 4 (in the state of the one-dot chain line in the figure). The two-groove wall surfaces 1d and 1e are separated from each other.

  In the optical switch as described above, the hollow portion of the connection member 4 is circular, and the inner diameter dimension of the connection member 4 is larger than the outer dimension of the rotation pin 2, so that the connection between the rotation pin 2 and the electromagnetic actuator 6 is performed. In addition, high-precision alignment is not required, work efficiency during assembly can be improved, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an optical switch according to the third embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a single switching unit in the N × N optical switch. In the third embodiment, the first optical waveguide 1a and the second optical waveguide 1b are connected so as to intersect each other so as to form an acute angle and an obtuse angle. In the third embodiment, the third optical waveguide (bypass optical waveguide) 1h is provided on one of the acute angle sides of the intersection of the first optical waveguide 1a and the second optical waveguide 1b in the polymer waveguide film 1. . The third optical waveguide 1h forms an optical signal path between the first optical waveguide 1a and the second optical waveguide 1b.

  Furthermore, in the third embodiment, in the vicinity of the third optical waveguide 1h in the polymer waveguide film 1, an interval is provided on the opposite side of the intersection of the first optical waveguide 1a and the second optical waveguide 1b. A hard member 3 equivalent to the first and second embodiments is provided. The hard member 3 is disposed along the length direction of the third optical waveguide 1h. Further, the hard member 3 is attached to both surfaces of the polymer waveguide film 1.

  A first switching groove 1i is provided at a connection portion (one end portion of the third optical waveguide 1h) between the first optical waveguide 1a and the third optical waveguide 1h. A second switching groove 1j is provided at a connection point between the second optical waveguide 1b and the third optical waveguide 1h (the other end of the third optical waveguide 1h). The first and second switching grooves 1 i and 1 j are formed on the same surface of the polymer waveguide film 1 by cleaving. Further, an interval of, for example, about 850 μm is provided between the first switching groove 1i and the second switching groove 1j. Further, the first and second switching grooves 1i and 1j have first and second groove wall surfaces, similarly to the switching groove 1c in the first and second embodiments. The first groove wall surface of the first switching groove 1i is disposed on the hard member 3 side, and the second groove wall surface of the first switching groove 1i is disposed on the anti-hard member 3 side. The first groove wall surface of the second switching groove 1j is disposed on the hard member 3 side, and the second groove wall surface of the second switching groove 1j is disposed on the anti-hard member 3 side.

  The first switching groove 1i transmits an optical signal passing through the first optical waveguide 1a as it is in the direction of the arrow a when the groove wall surfaces are joined to each other, and the optical signal is transmitted in the direction of the arrow b. Lead. The first switching groove 1i totally reflects the optical signal passing through the first optical waveguide 1a in the direction of arrow a when the groove wall surfaces are separated from each other, and the optical signal is transmitted to the third light guide. Guide to the waveguide 1h. The second switching groove 1j totally reflects an optical signal passing through the third optical waveguide 1h toward the second optical waveguide 1b when the groove wall surfaces are separated from each other, and transmits the optical signal to the second optical waveguide. It leads to the direction of arrow c of 1b.

  On the second groove wall surface side of the first switching groove 1i in the polymer waveguide film 1 and on the second groove wall surface side of the second switching groove 1j in the polymer waveguide film 1 (one in the normal direction of the second switching groove 1j). Each is provided with a round hole (not shown). The rotation pins 2 are inserted into these round holes, respectively. The diameter of the round hole and the rotation pin 2 is, for example, 125 μm. A connecting member 7 having a long hole (elliptical) hollow portion is inserted into each rotation pin 2. The major axis of the connecting member 7 is disposed along the extending direction of the optical waveguides 1a and 1b. The short axis dimension of the hollow part of the connecting member 7 is, for example, 160 μm, and the long axis dimension of the hollow part of the connecting member 7 is, for example, 380 μm.

  One electromagnetic actuator 6 is coupled to each connection member 7 via a coupling member 5. The connection member 7 is displaced along the width direction (arrow I / J direction) of each switching groove 1i, 1j by driving of the electromagnetic actuator 6. That is, the two rotation pins 2 are driven synchronously by one electromagnetic actuator 6. Similar to the first and second embodiments, stress release holes 1g are provided in the vicinity of each rotation pin 2 in the polymer waveguide film 1, respectively.

  Here, the displacement amount of the connection member 7 by driving the electromagnetic actuator 6 is, for example, 300 μm, and the upper end portion of the rotation pin 2 slides along the inner periphery of the connection member 7 when the connection member 7 is displaced. Then, the upper end portion of the rotation pin 2 is displaced by, for example, 160 μm, and the entire rotation pin 2 is rotated in the width direction of each switching groove 1i, 1j. That is, since the hollow portion has a long hole shape, the rotation direction of each rotation pin 2 is switched in each switching direction even though the displacement direction of the connecting member 7 is different from the width direction of each switching groove 1i, 1j. It becomes the width direction of the grooves 1i and 1j.

  Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the switching operation of the optical signal path by the rotation pin 2 of FIG. In FIG. 5, the stress release hole 1g, the connecting member 5, the electromagnetic actuator 6 and the hard member 3 are omitted. First, as an initial state, the rotation pin 2 has an upper end toward the connection portion between the third optical waveguide 1h and the first optical waveguide 1a and the connection portion between the third optical waveguide 1h and the second optical waveguide 1b, respectively. The parts are arranged so as to incline (state of solid line in the figure). In this state, the polymer waveguide film 1 is bent and deformed from the second groove wall surface side to the first groove wall surface side of each switching groove 1i, 1j, and each switching groove 1i, 1j is deformed by the hard member 3. By maintaining the undeformed state of the polymer waveguide film 1 on the first groove wall surface side, the first groove wall surface and the second groove wall surface of each switching groove 1i, 1j are joined to each other. And since the 1st groove wall surface and the 2nd groove wall surface of the 1st switching groove 1i are joined mutually, the optical signal which goes to the direction of arrow a permeate | transmits the 1st switching groove 1i, and goes straight on as it is. , Guided in the direction of arrow b.

  Also, from this state, when the electromagnetic actuator 6 is driven and each connecting member 7 is displaced as indicated by arrow I, the upper end portion of the rotating pin 2 slides along the inner periphery of the connecting member 7. Then, as indicated by arrows J and K, each rotation pin 2 is rotated, and the first groove wall surface and the second groove wall surface of each switching groove 1i, 1j are separated from each other (in the state of the one-dot chain line in the figure). . In this state, the optical signal directed in the direction of arrow a is totally reflected between the first switching groove 1i and the air layer and guided to the third optical waveguide 1h. The optical signal passing through the third optical waveguide 1h is totally reflected between the second switching groove 1j and the air layer and guided in the direction of the arrow c.

  In the optical switch as described above, since the groove wall surfaces of the two switching grooves 1i and 1j are brought into contact with and separated from each other only by driving one electromagnetic actuator 6, the optical signal path is switched by the two switching grooves 1i and 1j. Even if it exists, a structure can be reduced in size.

  Moreover, since the rotation pin 2 is rotated using the connection member 7 having a long hole-shaped hollow portion, the rotation pin 2 is rotated only in the width direction of each of the switching grooves 1i, 1j. The contact / separation switching between the groove wall surfaces of the two switching grooves 1i, 1j can be performed efficiently.

  In addition, the dimension and displacement amount of each member used in Embodiment 3 are merely examples, and are not limited to these numerical values. In particular, although the amount of displacement of the upper end portion of the rotation pin 2 is 160 μm, this value varies depending on the height dimension from the polymer waveguide film 1 to the connecting member 7.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an optical switch according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view showing the rotating pin set 8 of FIG. In the third embodiment, the two rotation pins 2 are used, but in the fourth embodiment, the rotation pin set 8 having the two pin portions 8a and the coupling portion 8b is used. A connecting member 4 is attached to the coupling portion 8b. An electromagnetic actuator 6 is coupled to the rotating pin set 8 via a connection member 4 and a coupling member 5. By the driving force of the electromagnetic actuator 6, the coupling portion 8b is displaced in the directions indicated by arrows I and H, and each pin portion 8a is rotated. And by rotating each pin part 8a, the groove wall surfaces of each switching groove 1i and 1j are contacted / separated. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the third embodiment.

  In the optical switch as described above, the groove wall surfaces of the two switching grooves 1i and 1j are brought into contact with and separated from each other by the rotation of the rotation pin set 8, so that the number of members is reduced as compared with that of the third embodiment. As a result, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the working efficiency during assembly can be improved.

  In the first to third embodiments, each switching groove 1c, 1i, 1j is turned by rotating the upper end portion of the turning pin 2 so as to be inclined to the opposite side of the opening of each switching groove 1c, 1i, 1j. In the fourth embodiment, the optical signal is reflected, and in the fourth embodiment, the pair of pin portions 8a of the rotation pin set 8 is rotated so as to be inclined to the opposite side of the opening of the switching grooves 1i and 1j. Each of the switching grooves 1i and 1j is in a state of reflecting an optical signal. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and the rotation pin or the rotation pin portion is rotated so as to stand upright with respect to the polymer waveguide. By switching the bending deformation of the waveguide film, the switching groove may be in a state of reflecting an optical signal. In this case, it can be realized by adjusting the material of the waveguide film, the angle of the groove wall surface of the switching groove, and the like.

It is a perspective view which shows the switch by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the II-II line | wire of FIG. It is a top view which expands and shows a part of optical switch by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the optical switch by Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the switching operation | movement of the optical signal path | route by the rotation pin of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the optical switch by Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a front view which expands and shows the rotation pin group of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Polymer waveguide film, 1a 1st optical waveguide, 1b 2nd optical waveguide, 1c switching groove, 1d 1st groove wall surface, 1e 2nd groove wall surface, 1h 3rd optical waveguide, 1i 1st switching groove, 1j 2nd switching Groove, 2 rotating pin, 3 fixing member (non-deformation holding means), 4, 7 connecting member, 6 electromagnetic actuator, 8 rotating pin set, 8a pin portion.

Claims (8)

A first optical waveguide that forms an optical signal path and a second optical waveguide that is branched from the first optical waveguide and that forms an optical signal path different from the first optical waveguide can be opposed to and separated from each other. A waveguide film which has first and second groove wall surfaces and is provided with a switching groove which is disposed at the branch point and switches an optical signal path by reflecting / transmitting an optical signal,
Provided on the first groove wall surface side with respect to the switching groove of said waveguide film, non-deformable holding means for holding the waveguide fill arm of the first groove wall surface side with respect to the switching groove, and the switching of the waveguide film The waveguide film is provided on the opposite side of the non-deformable holding means across the groove, and the waveguide film is bent and deformed by applying pressure toward the switching groove on the second groove wall surface side of the waveguide film with respect to the switching groove. The first and second groove wall surfaces are joined to make the switching groove in a state of transmitting an optical signal, and on the second groove wall surface side of the waveguide film with respect to the switching groove, the direction is opposite to the switching groove. A contact / separation drive mechanism for applying pressure to bend and deform the waveguide film to the opposite side of the transmission state to open the first and second groove wall surfaces to make the switching groove in a reflection state of an optical signal. For example,
The contact / separation drive mechanism includes a rotation pin that can be rotated through the waveguide film, a connection member provided with a hollow portion and inserted into the rotation pin, and the rotation pin via the connection member. An actuator that is connected and pivots the pivot pin;
The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral dimension of the connecting member is larger than an outer peripheral dimension of the rotating pin . A first optical waveguide that forms an optical signal path and a second optical waveguide that is branched from the first optical waveguide and that forms an optical signal path different from the first optical waveguide can be opposed to and separated from each other. A waveguide film which has first and second groove wall surfaces and is provided with a switching groove which is disposed at the branch point and switches an optical signal path by reflecting / transmitting an optical signal,
Provided on the first groove wall surface side with respect to the switching groove of said waveguide film, non-deformable holding means for holding the waveguide fill arm of the first groove wall surface side with respect to the switching groove, and the switching of the waveguide film The waveguide film is provided on the opposite side of the non-deformable holding means across the groove, and the waveguide film is bent and deformed by applying pressure toward the switching groove on the second groove wall surface side of the waveguide film with respect to the switching groove. The first and second groove wall surfaces are joined by bringing the switching groove into an optical signal transmission state and releasing the flexural deformation of the waveguide film to separate the first and second groove wall surfaces. And a contact / separation drive mechanism for bringing the switching groove into a reflection state of the optical signal ,
The contact / separation drive mechanism includes a rotation pin that can be rotated through the waveguide film, a connection member provided with a hollow portion and inserted into the rotation pin, and the rotation pin via the connection member. An actuator that is connected and pivots the pivot pin;
The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral dimension of the connecting member is larger than an outer peripheral dimension of the rotating pin . A first optical waveguide that forms an optical signal path, a second optical waveguide that branches off from the first optical waveguide and that forms an optical signal path different from the first optical waveguide, and one end of the first optical waveguide. A third optical waveguide connected to the waveguide and having the other end connected to the second optical waveguide to form an optical signal path between the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide; the third optical waveguide; Two first and second groove wall surfaces that are disposed at the connection point between the two optical waveguides and at the connection point between the third optical waveguide and the first optical waveguide, and that are opposed to and separated from each other. A waveguide film provided with a plurality of switching grooves for switching an optical signal path by reflection and transmission, and capable of bending deformation,
Provided on the first groove side wall surface for each switching groove of said waveguide film, non-deformable holding means for holding said waveguide fill arm of the first groove wall surface side with respect to the respective switching groove and the waveguide film By applying pressure toward each switching groove on the second groove wall surface side with respect to each switching groove to bend and deform the waveguide film, the first and second groove wall surfaces are joined to light each switching groove. A signal transmission state is applied, and pressure is applied in the opposite direction of each switching groove on the second groove wall surface side with respect to each switching groove of the waveguide film to bring the waveguide film to the opposite side of the transmission state. A contact / separation drive mechanism that causes the first and second groove wall surfaces to be separated by bending and making the switching groove a reflection state of an optical signal ;
The contact / separation driving mechanism is disposed on the opposite side of the non-deformable holding means with the switching grooves of the waveguide film interposed therebetween, and penetrates the waveguide film, and is a pair of rotatable circular cross sections. A rotation pin, a connecting member provided with a long hole-shaped hollow portion and inserted into each rotation pin; and an actuator connected to each rotation pin via the connection member and rotating the rotation pin. an optical switch, characterized by that. A first optical waveguide that forms an optical signal path, a second optical waveguide that branches off from the first optical waveguide and that forms an optical signal path different from the first optical waveguide, and one end of the first optical waveguide. A third optical waveguide connected to the waveguide and having the other end connected to the second optical waveguide to form an optical signal path between the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide; the third optical waveguide; Two first and second groove wall surfaces that are disposed at the connection point between the two optical waveguides and at the connection point between the third optical waveguide and the first optical waveguide, and that are opposed to and separated from each other. A waveguide film provided with a plurality of switching grooves for switching an optical signal path by reflection and transmission, and capable of bending deformation,
Provided on the first groove side wall surface for each switching groove of said waveguide film, non-deformable holding means for holding said waveguide fill arm of the first groove wall surface side with respect to the respective switching groove and the waveguide film By applying pressure toward each switching groove on the second groove wall surface side with respect to each switching groove to bend and deform the waveguide film, the first and second groove wall surfaces are joined to light each switching groove. A contact / separation drive mechanism for making the signal transmission state and opening the first and second groove wall surfaces by releasing the bending deformation of the waveguide film so that each switching groove is in a light signal reflection state. Prepared ,
The contact / separation driving mechanism is disposed on the opposite side of the non-deformable holding means with the switching grooves of the waveguide film interposed therebetween, and penetrates the waveguide film, and is a pair of rotatable circular cross sections. A rotation pin, a connecting member provided with a long hole-shaped hollow portion and inserted into each rotation pin; and an actuator connected to each rotation pin via the connection member and rotating the rotation pin. an optical switch, characterized by that. A first optical waveguide that forms an optical signal path, a second optical waveguide that branches off from the first optical waveguide and that forms an optical signal path different from the first optical waveguide, and one end of the first optical waveguide. A third optical waveguide connected to the waveguide and having the other end connected to the second optical waveguide to form an optical signal path between the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide; the third optical waveguide; Two first and second groove wall surfaces that are disposed at the connection point between the two optical waveguides and at the connection point between the third optical waveguide and the first optical waveguide, and that are opposed to and separated from each other. A waveguide film provided with a plurality of switching grooves for switching an optical signal path by reflection and transmission, and capable of bending deformation,
Provided on the first groove side wall surface for each switching groove of said waveguide film, non-deformable holding means for holding said waveguide fill arm of the first groove wall surface side with respect to the respective switching groove and the waveguide film By applying pressure toward each switching groove on the second groove wall surface side with respect to each switching groove to bend and deform the waveguide film, the first and second groove wall surfaces are joined to light each switching groove. A signal transmission state is applied, and pressure is applied in the opposite direction of each switching groove on the second groove wall surface side with respect to each switching groove of the waveguide film to bring the waveguide film to the opposite side of the transmission state. A contact / separation drive mechanism that causes the first and second groove wall surfaces to be separated by bending and making the switching groove a reflection state of an optical signal ;
The contact / separation drive mechanism is disposed on the opposite side of the non-deformable holding means with the switching grooves of the waveguide film interposed therebetween, and passes through the waveguide film so as to be rotatable. An optical switch comprising: a rotating pin set integrally formed with an actuator that is connected to the rotating pin set and rotates the rotating pin set . A first optical waveguide that forms an optical signal path, a second optical waveguide that branches off from the first optical waveguide and that forms an optical signal path different from the first optical waveguide, and one end of the first optical waveguide. A third optical waveguide connected to the waveguide and having the other end connected to the second optical waveguide to form an optical signal path between the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide; the third optical waveguide; Two first and second groove wall surfaces that are disposed at the connection point between the two optical waveguides and at the connection point between the third optical waveguide and the first optical waveguide, and that are opposed to and separated from each other. A waveguide film provided with a plurality of switching grooves for switching an optical signal path by reflection and transmission, and capable of bending deformation,
Provided on the first groove side wall surface for each switching groove of said waveguide film, non-deformable holding means for holding said waveguide fill arm of the first groove wall surface side with respect to the respective switching groove and the waveguide film By applying pressure toward each switching groove on the second groove wall surface side with respect to each switching groove to bend and deform the waveguide film, the first and second groove wall surfaces are joined to light each switching groove. A contact / separation drive mechanism for making the signal transmission state and opening the first and second groove wall surfaces by releasing the bending deformation of the waveguide film so that each switching groove is in a light signal reflection state. Prepared ,
The contact / separation drive mechanism is disposed on the opposite side of the non-deformable holding means with the switching grooves of the waveguide film interposed therebetween, and passes through the waveguide film so as to be rotatable. An optical switch comprising: a rotating pin set integrally formed with an actuator that is connected to the rotating pin set and rotates the rotating pin set . The optical switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the actuator is an electromagnetic actuator having a coil, a plunger, and a spring. The non-deformation holding means is a hard member harder than the waveguide film,
The optical switch according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the hard member is attached to both surfaces of the waveguide film.

Images