PHOTONIC MATRIX SWITCH Russian patent published in 2013 - IPC G02F1/03 

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: switch has an active element based on an electro-optical crystal with electron conductivity, having on the illuminated face a non-uniformity in form of p and n layers and a negative electrode, and on the opposite face a layer of tunnel dielectric, on top of which there is a positive metal electrode, a power supply electrically connected to the electrodes, a control light pulse source optically connected the face of the structure having a non-uniformity, as well as an entrance prism and a birefringent exit prism, arranged symmetrically about the centre of the active element. Prisms, polarisers and microlenses form an axis-centred optical system, all elements of which are optically connected to each other, and its principal axis is optically connected to the p-n junction of the active element and is parallel to the length of the face having the p-n junction. The face of the active element having the p-n junction has an antireflecting coating, on top of which there is a dielectric coating in form of a closed loop, which covers the antireflecting coating and the space-charge region of the p-n junction, and polarisers are in form of polarising prisms.

EFFECT: faster operation, reduced loss of optical power.

4 cl, 12 dwg