Optical switch device, and optical reception device and optical switch network in which the optical switch device is applied

摘要

The element configuration of a liquid crystal switch that is capable of reducing attenuation in an optical switch, and an optical reception device and an optical switch network that use this liquid crystal switch device are described. The liquid crystal switch device includes: a plurality of optical switches that perform ON/OFF switching of light beams by voltage that is applied to liquid crystal, optical fibers that are installed on both sides of each optical switch, voltage application switching elements for switching the switches of the plurality of optical switches to which voltage is to be applied, a plurality of switching lines and voltage application lines that are arranged in rows and columns for applying voltage to the voltage application switching elements, and drivers for switching between applying and not applying voltage to these lines; whereby the selection of combinations of any of these lines to which voltage is applied enables the ON/OFF control of optical switches at any position. In this optical switch device, depressions for enabling installation of optical fiber are formed in the substrate on which the switch elements are formed and in the liquid crystal encapsulation substrate.