Based on microfluidics and optical communication technology, an optofluidic switch is proposed, where the hot bubble driving technology is used. And switch-on or switch-off and the optical path switching are realized by a hot bubble in the microchannel. The growth and condensation of the gas bubble in the microchannel is controlled by temperature. The optical switch has the advantages of small volume, simple and compact structure, low driving voltage, low power consumption, no mechanical moving parts and easy operation. This paper introduces the structure, processing technology and working principle of this optical switch.
The optical switch is the core component of all-optical communication networks. Optofluidics is the integration of optics and microfluidics (lab on the chip). Here, based on optofluidics and optical communication technology, a 2×2 optical switch structure is proposed. The proposed switch uses a micro droplet and a microfluidic drive technology based on the electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) to realize the optical path conversion. The optical switch has a small volume, simple structure, low power loss. Meanwhile it has no movable micromechanical elements and is easy to be operated. Here the structure and working principle of the optical switch are introduced.
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