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.
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. The breaking of the liquid metal
connection is operable to block or unblock one or more of the plurality of optical waveguides.