Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Reconfigurable optical signal routing systems using fluid channels between waveguides
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Application No.: US17411880Application Date: 2021-08-25
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Publication No.: US11520103B1Publication Date: 2022-12-06
- Inventor: James Dunphy , David Hutchison
- Applicant: Waymo LLC
- Applicant Address: US CA Mountain View
- Assignee: Waymo LLC
- Current Assignee: Waymo LLC
- Current Assignee Address: US CA Mountain View
- Agency: McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP
- Main IPC: G02B6/12
- IPC: G02B6/12 ; H04B10/071 ; G02B6/35 ; G02B6/293

Abstract:
One example system comprises a substrate and a waveguide disposed on the substrate to define an optical path on the substrate. The waveguide is configured to guide, inside the waveguide and along the optical path, a light signal toward an edge of the waveguide. The edge defines an optical interface between the waveguide and a fluidic optical medium adjacent to the edge of the waveguide. The system also includes an optical fluid and a fluid actuator configured to adjust a physical state of the optical fluid based on a control signal. The adjustment of the physical state of the optical fluid causes an adjustment of the fluidic optical medium adjacent to the edge.
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