OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE TYPE OPTICAL SWITCH AND PRODUCTION OF OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE TYPE OPTICAL SWITCH

摘要

PURPOSE: To obtain an opto-thermotic switch capable of stably maintaining a switching state having a specified refractive index by using a ferroelectric material exhibiting the structural phase transition based on a temp. change in a waveguide clad part. ;CONSTITUTION: Waveguides are formable by quartz or polymer, etc. The clad part 12 is formable by applying a vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene, copolymer (55:45) by spin coating. Two pieces of the channels are heated under the surfaces by energizing a metallic thin-film heater 13 formed in the upper part of the clad part 12, by which the Curie temp. of the clad member material is exceeded, the refractive index of the clad part 12 is greatly changed and the switch of a cut-off type is formed. The ferroelectric material exhibiting the structural phase transition based on the temp. change is used for the waveguide clad part 12 and is held at a temp. above the specific temp., by which the large change in the refractive index of the structural change according to the phase transition is utilized for switching.;COPYRIGHT: (C)1996,JPO