A polymeric optical switch in which a switching channel is formed in a polymer
layer. The channel is formed by a micro-machining technique such as laser ablation
or photo-imaging. A liquid metal switch is contained within the switching channel.
The liquid metal switch operates by blocking or unblocking the optical path through
the switching channel using a volume of liquid metal. Contact pads within the switching
channel are wettable by the liquid metal and provide a latching mechanism for the
switch. The polymer layer may be located between two transparent switch substrates.
Solder rings are attached to the perimeters of the transparent switch substrates.
The solder rings are wettable by solder and facilitate the creation of a hermetic
seal between the substrates. Optical connectors allow optical signals to be coupled
through the transparent layers and the switching channel.
