Optical switch

About: Optical switch is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 28538 publications have been published within this topic receiving 351176 citations.

Method and apparatus for low power optical sensing and decoding of data

Abstract: A portable optical data reader for optically sensing and decoding data, comprising a carrier oscillator (110) for producing a carrier signal at a predetermined frequency, an optical emitter (120) electrically connected to the carrier oscillator for emitting optical radiation in an optical path to an optical data carrier at the predetermined frequency, an optical detector (140) for detect-ing the emitted optical radiation returning from the optical data carrier thereby receiving the optical data and producing a detect-ed electrical signal responsive thereto, and a double balanced demodulator (150) electrically connected to the optical detector and the carrier oscillator for combining the detected radiation signal with the carrier signal to demodulate the optical data with the optical data carrier. A method of sensing and decoding optical data comprising the steps of oscillating a carrier signal, transmit-ting the carrier signal to an optical emitter, thereby illuminating the optical emitter adjacent optical data, reflectively sensing the illumination from the optical emitter, thereby receiving the optical data, and demodulating the optical data by use of the oscillat-ing carrier signal.

CdS Nanorods Imbedded in Liquid Crystal Cells for Smart Optoelectronic Devices

Abstract: A novel nanocomposite device, which consists of liquid crystals and semiconductor nanorods, has been designed and fabricated. It reveals a very unique and useful behavior in that the polarization of the emission from semiconductor nanorods can be controlled by an external bias. The large magnitude of polarization anisotropy of 0.63 can be quantitatively interpreted very well in terms of the dielectric contrast between semiconductor and liquid crystal. Our approach is quite general, which is applicable to other nanomaterials, and it utilizes the currently mature liquid crystal display technology. The results open up new possible applications for one-dimensional semiconductor nanostructures in smart optoelectronic applications, including optical switches, integrated photonic devices, as well as electrochromatic gadgets in the near future.

Tunable filter, manufacturing method thereof and optical switching device comprising the tunable filter

Abstract: The invention provides a tunable filter that can minimize adjacent channel cross talk despite an increase of a number of available wavelengths and quickly switch a wavelength to be used, and manufacturing method thereof, and also an optical switching device comprising such tunable filter. In a tunable filter having a Fabry-Perot etalon structure, not less than two cavity gaps 114 to 116 are provided and separation between the cavity gaps is controlled by any of electrostatic drive, electromagnetic drive or piezoelectric drive. In this case, the cavity gaps can be formed through the steps of forming a sacrificial layer in advance where a cavity gap is to be formed; forming a plurality of optical multilayer films 100 to 103 ; and removing the sacrificial layer by etching. Substrates 107 and 109 are combined through a supporting column 108.

Apparatus and method for reading radio frequency identification transponders used for livestock identification and data collection

Abstract: A portable apparatus for reading radio frequency identification transponders such as with livestock data collection and management. The preferred embodiment includes a single wound radio frequency identification antenna coil; a radio frequency transmitter; a power control, system timing and driver including a low battery indicator, and an optical switch; a rechargeable battery; a main power switch; an infrared activation switch; a radio frequency link antenna, a receiver analog section, a micro controller, an exciter drive and a read switch; and audio feedback to confirm receipt of data.

Optical MEMS for photonic switching-compact and stable optical crossconnect switches for simple, fast, and flexible wavelength applications in recent photonic networks

Abstract: We review the development trends and state-of-the-art technologies of large-port-count optical switches over the past decade. Practical implementation of optical switch fabrics is discussed in terms of optical switch architectures, optical configurations, port counts, switch elements, and so on. We describe compact and stable optical crossconnect three-dimensional microelectromechanical systems (3-D-MEMS) switches that are a key technology in recent photonic networks. To show how these enable simple, fast, and flexible wavelength applications in the photonic layer, we discuss the fast and stable MEMS switching by novel comb actuator and V-shaped torsion bar, compact optical configuration with roof-type mirror, stable switch housing with cubic structure, packaging techniques by tolerance expansion and simple procedures of the component assembly, MEMS mirror controller with fast and low power digital notch circuit, reliability by shock absorption, and field trials. In addition, we discuss the impact of these switches on system integration for recent metropolitan area networks and enterprise networks.