Abstract: The optical switch comprises a platform, and an optical fiber is held in a V groove for securing optical fiber of this platform. A switch element is placed on the platform. The switch element has a frame, and a plurality of alignment pins which are supplied together with the platform are disposed on the bottom face of the frame. A cantilever is secured to the frame, and a mirror is installed at the tip section of the cantilever. A pair of electrodes are secured on the platform. And by supplying voltage between the electrode and cantilever and generating an electrostatic force between them, the mirror is vertically moved.

Abstract: A movable mirror device has a plurality of reflecting mirrors and a plurality of mirror drivers. The plurality of reflecting mirrors are reflecting mirrors to reflect signal light and are arranged in a one-dimensional direction along a predetermined plane. The plurality of mirror drivers are arranged two-dimensionally relative to the one-dimensional direction and individually drive the respective reflecting mirrors.

Abstract: An optical module has a planar waveguide which is provided with an optical circuit for an optical switch formed by 2×2 cross optical waveguides A1 to D1 and an optical circuit for an optical variable attenuator formed by 2×2 cross optical waveguides A2 to D2. Joined onto the planar waveguide is an actuator structure and the actuator structure is constituted by an actuator section for an optical switch and an actuator section for an optical variable attenuator. The optical circuit of the planar waveguide and the actuator section constitute an optical switch, whereas the optical circuit of the planar waveguide 2 and the actuator section constitute an optical variable attenuator.

Abstract: An optical switch is provided in which the difference of the optical loss due to the difference of optical path can be reduced. The optical switch comprises the first switching parts 2A-2D and the second switching parts 3A-3D. The first switching parts 2A-2D each comprise: a planar waveguide device 4 in which four coupling optical waveguides 5a-5d and an input optical waveguide 6 are provided; and reflection mirrors 8a-8d for reflecting a light signal incident from the input optical waveguide 6 to the respective coupling optical waveguides 5a-5d, respectively. The second switching parts 3A-3D each comprise: a planar waveguide device 9 in which coupling optical waveguides 10a-10d and an output optical waveguide 11 are provided; and reflection mirrors 13a-13d for reflecting a light signal incident from the respective coupling optical waveguides 10a-10d to the output optical waveguide 11.

Abstract: An optical switch that can restrain the occurrence of cross talk is provided. A first waveguide path 11 and a second waveguide path 12 are provided on a waveguide substrate PCL so as to intersect each other at a given angle. A trench T is formed in a straight line in the surface of the waveguide substrate PCL so as to cross the central axes of the first waveguide path and the second waveguide path. The trench T is as deep as to expose the whole end face of the first waveguide path and the second waveguide path. The first waveguide path 11 and the second waveguide path 12 are arranged such that their central axes are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the straight line.

Abstract: An optical variable attenuator has a planar waveguide, which is provided with optical waveguides forming an input optical line A and an output optical line B. A cantilever is disposed at the upper face of the planar waveguide, whereas a movable mirror for reflecting light passing through the input optical line A toward the output optical line B is secured to the leading end part of the cantilever. An electrode is disposed at the upper face of the planar waveguide. The cantilever and the electrode are connected to each other by way of a voltage source. The voltage source applies a voltage between the cantilever and the electrode, so as to generate an electrostatic force therebetween, which flexes the leading end side of the cantilever toward the electrode. As a consequence, the movable mirror moves toward the electrode.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical switch for switching between a plurality of main light emitters respectively emitting light components having wavelengths different from each other and a backup light emitter adapted to replace any of the main light emitters, a light emitter switching method for switching from one failed main light emitter to a backup light emitter by using the optical switch the above switch and a light receiver switching method for switching from one failed main light receiver to a backup light receiver by using the above.

Abstract: An optical switch 1 has a plane waveguide 2 provided with optical waveguide 3, and an actuator structure 5 including a beamlike member 6 supported in a doubly supported manner on the plane waveguide 2. A mirror 10 for shutting out light passing on the optical waveguide 3 is provided in the central region of the beamlike member 6. Interconnecting members 12 extending in the longitudinal direction of the beamlike member 6 are coupled to the both ends of the beamlike member 6. The interconnecting members 12 preliminarily exert a compressive force on the beamlike member 6 so as to deflect the beamlike member 6 with compression stress in an initial state in which the mirror 10 is located at a position where the mirror allows the light passing on the optical waveguide 3 to pass or at a position where the mirror shuts out the light passing on the optical waveguide 3.

Abstract: An optical module has a planar waveguide which is provided with an optical circuit for an optical switch formed by 2×2 cross optical waveguides A1 to D1 and an optical circuit for an optical variable attenuator formed by 2×2 cross optical waveguides A2 to D2. Joined onto the planar waveguide is an actuator structure and the actuator structure is constituted by an actuator section for an optical switch and an actuator section for an optical variable attenuator. The optical circuit of the planar waveguide and the actuator section constitute an optical switch, whereas the optical circuit of the planar waveguide 2 and the actuator section constitute an optical variable attenuator.

Abstract: An optical variable attenuator has a planar waveguide, which is provided with optical waveguides forming an input optical line A and an output optical line B. A cantilever is disposed at the upper face of the planar waveguide, whereas a movable mirror for reflecting light passing through the input optical line A toward the output optical line B is secured to the leading end part of the cantilever. An electrode is disposed at the upper face of the planar waveguide. The cantilever and the electrode are connected to each other by way of a voltage source. The voltage source applies a voltage between the cantilever and the electrode, so as to generate an electrostatic force therebetween, which flexes the leading end side of the cantilever toward the electrode. As a consequence, the movable mirror moves toward the electrode.

Abstract: An optical signal, which is to become the subject of dispersion compensation, is split by optical combining/splitting unit 2, and each frequency component of the optical signal that is split is reflected by each reflective surface of reflective mirror 40 of reflective means 4 to apply a predetermined phase shift to the respective frequency components. Each reflected frequency component is then combined using optical combining/splitting unit 2, to give dispersion compensated optical signal. Furthermore, in regards to reflective means 4, which is used to apply phase shift to each frequency component of an optical signal, reflective mirror 40 is made a variable movable mirror by reflection position at each reflective surface, which reflects the frequency components, deforming the entire reflective surface. This allows dispersion that is created in an optical signal to be compensated with favorable controllability and high accuracy.

Abstract: An optical switch according to this invention has a planar waveguide in which an optical path is formed. A trench is formed in the upper surface of this planar waveguide. A cantilevered movable member is mounted on the planar waveguide. A comb is formed in the end portion of this movable member. A mirror which intercepts light propagating on the optical path is fixed to the end of the movable member. An electrode opposing the movable member is formed on the planar waveguide. A comb is formed in that portion of this electrode, which opposes the comb of the movable member. The movable member and electrode are connected via a voltage source. When this voltage source generates electrostatic force between the movable member and electrode, the movable member bends, and the mirror moves along the bottom surface of the trench accordingly.

Abstract: An optical signal, which is to become the subject of dispersion compensation, is split by optical combining/splitting unit 2, and each frequency component of the optical signal that is split is reflected by each reflective surface of reflective mirror 40 of reflective means 4 to apply a predetermined phase shift to the respective frequency components. Each reflected frequency component is then combined using optical combining/splitting unit 2, to give dispersion compensated optical signal. Furthermore, in regards to reflective means 4, which is used to apply phase shift to each frequency component of an optical signal, reflective mirror 40 is made a variable movable mirror by reflection position at each reflective surface, which is reflects the frequency components, deforming the entire reflective surface. This allows dispersion that is created in an optical signal to be compensated with favorable controllability and high accuracy.

Abstract: An optical switch that can restrain the occurrence of cross talk is provided. A first waveguide path 11 and a second waveguide path 12 are provided on a waveguide substrate PCL so as to intersect each other at a given angle. A trench T is formed in a straight line in the surface of the waveguide substrate PCL so as to cross the central axes of the first waveguide path and the second waveguide path. The trench T is as deep as to expose the whole end face of the first waveguide path and the second waveguide path. The first waveguide path 11 and the second waveguide path 12 are arranged such that their central axes are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the straight line.

Abstract: An optical signal, which is to become the subject of dispersion compensation, is split by optical combining/splitting unit 2, and each frequency component of the optical signal that is split is reflected by the corresponding reflective mirror 30 included in reflective mirror group 3 to apply a predetermined phase shift to the respective frequency components Each reflected frequency component is then combined using optical combining/splitting unit 2, to give dispersion compensated optical signal Furthermore, in regards to reflective mirror group 3, which is used to apply phase shift to each frequency component of an optical signal, each of the respective plurality of reflective mirrors 30 is made a movable mirror having a movable reflection position that reflects the frequency components. Through this, dispersion that develops in an optical signal may be compensated with favorable controllability and high accuracy.

Abstract: A method of increasing index of refraction of silica glass includes the step of irradiating a prescribed region of silica glass with X-ray having a wavelength within a range of from 1.2 .ANG. to 7.0 .ANG., and exciting K shell electrons of silicon atoms in the irradiated region with the X-ray, so that the index of refraction in the irradiated region is increased efficiently.