Micro-machined silicon on-off fiber optic switching system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for readily aligning an optical fiber with respect to another optical fiber or with respect to one or more optical components.
Conventional integrated optical components may provide rectangular channels for holding optical fibers in place with respect to other fibers or with respect to inputs or outputs of optical components.
To provide accurate alignment, such rectangular channels need to be fit precisely to the outer diameter of the fiber.
This is difficult to do, as fibers have varying outer diameters and process variations can produce different size channels.
Particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an improved alignment structure that may include a first channel with a second channel formed extending below the bottom of the first channel.
This structure provides two parallel edges on which a fiber rests when installed in the channel.
By positioning the fiber on two edges extending along the path of the fiber, dimensional variations in fibers with respect to the dimensions of an alignment channel are largely accommodated, especially when a single fiber is cut and the two ends of the cut fiber are coupled into an optical component.
Aspects of the present invention are described with reference to an optical ON/OFF switch that selectively opens and closes an optical path between two optical fibers.
Two fibers are accurately aligned with respect to each other, with the ends of the fibers spaced apart to allow for a micro-mechanical shutter to be positioned between the ends of the two fibers.
Most preferably, the fibers are offset laterally from one another so the cores of the fibers do not precisely align to limit undesirable reflections.
The optical switch selectively opens and closes the optical path between two fibers with the micro-mechanical shutter in response to electrical signals.
The shutter preferably can be latched open or closed by a micro-mechanical latch, so that the ON or OFF state of the switch is maintained without applying a continuous electrical signal to the switch