A method and structure for a reflective optical switch. According to the
structure, a chamber is housed within a solid material. A plurality of
piezoelectric elements within the chamber are coupled to the solid
material. A slug within the chamber is operable to be coupled to one or
more of the plurality of piezoelectric elements. A liquid metal within the
chamber is coupled to the slug. One or more signals of a first one or more
optical waveguides coupled to the chamber are operable to be coupled to a
second one or more optical waveguides coupled to the chamber. According to
the method, one or more of the plurality of piezoelectric elements are
actuated, with the actuation of the one or more piezoelectric elements
causing the slug coupled to the one or more piezoelectric elements to move
from a first number of wetting pads to a second number of wetting pads
wherein the first number of wetting pads and the second number of wetting
pads are wetted by the liquid metal. The movement of the slug from the
first number of wetting pads to the second number of wetting pads breaks a
liquid metal surface tension between the slug and the first number of
wetting pads and establishes a coupling between the slug and the second
number of wetting pads. The movement of the slug and the presence of the
liquid metal creates a reflective surface operable to route the one or
more signals from the first one or more optical waveguides to the second
one or more optical waveguides.
