OPTICAL SWITCH FOR OPTICAL COMMUNICATION LINES Russian patent published in 2013 - IPC G02F1/33 G02B6/44 

FIELD: radio engineering, communication.

SUBSTANCE: optical switch for optical communication lines has on a substrate a planar optical waveguide and a Bragg mirror region formed therein in form of a pattern of periodic spatial modulation of the refraction index of the waveguide which is formed by a group of electrodes in form of film strips arranged periodically on top of the waveguide. The film strips are connected to electric contacts on the switch. The optical switch also includes optical devices for inputting and outputting radiation from the waveguide. The invention is characterised by that the strips are fastened with spacing over the surface of the planar waveguide with possibility of displacement with variation of the size of the spacing.

EFFECT: design of a matrix switch for optical communication lines, having dimensions of the switching cells much smaller than those of electrooptical switches, which enables to make highly complex matrix switches.

6 cl, 3 dwg