A method and structure for an optical switch. According to the structure of
the present invention, a liquid-filled chamber is housed within a solid
material. A plurality of seal belts within the liquid-filled chamber are
coupled to the solid material, while a plurality of piezoelectric elements
are coupled to a plurality of membranes. The plurality of membranes are
coupled to the liquid-filled chamber, and a plurality of optical
waveguides are coupled to the liquid-filled chamber. The plurality of seal
belts are coupled to a plurality of liquid metal globules, wherein one or
more of the plurality of liquid metal globules are coupled to a slug.
According to the method, one or more piezoelectric elements are actuated,
causing one or more corresponding membrane elements to be deflected. The
deflection of the membrane element changes a pressure of actuator liquid
and the change in pressure of the actuator liquid breaks a liquid metal
connection between a first contact and a second contact of the electrical
switch and breaks a slug connection between the first contact and the
second contact. The breaking of the liquid metal connection and a movement
of the slug is operable to block or unblock one or more of the plurality
of optical waveguides.
