Method of manufacturing optical switch

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an optical switch includes forming a starting groove in a first surface of polymer film that includes an internal optical waveguide linearly estending within the polymer film, the starting groove corresponding to a switching portion of the polymer film, and clamping the polymer film with a keep plate having a switching through hole. The polymer film is pressed at a second surface at a starting groove with a pressing member causing cleavage of the polymer film at the starting groove, and forming a notch in said polymer film at the first surface, extending across the switching portion at the starting groove.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . A method of manufacturing an optical switch including: 
 forming a starting groove in a first surface of a polymer film that includes an internal optical waveguide linearly estending within said polymer film, the starting groove corresponding to a switching portion of said polymer film,    clamping said polymer film with a keep plate having a switching through hole, said polymer film being clamped so that the starting groove is located centrally within the switching through hole of said keep plate, and    pressing said polymer film at a second surface, opposite the first surface, and said starting groove with a pressing member causing cleavage of said polymer film at said starting groove, forming a notch in said polymer film at the first surface, extending across said switching portion at said starting groove.    
   
   
       8 . The method of manufacturing an optical switch according to  claim 7 , including alternately and repeatedly pressing said polymer film with said pressing member, fatiguing said polymer film and causing cleavage of said polymer film at said starting groove.  
   
   
       9 . The method of manufacturing an optical switch according to  claim 8 , including reciprocating said pressing member at a first stroke until said starting groove causes cracking of said polymer film at said starting groove and gradually increasing the stroke after said starting groove starts propagation of a crack.  
   
   
       10 . The method of manufacturing an optical switch according to  claim 7 , including pressing said polymer film on the second surface at two locations on opposite sides of said starting groove with said pressing member, said optical waveguide being located between the two locations.  
   
   
       11 . The method of manufacturing an optical switch according to  claim 7 , including causing cleavage of said polymer film at the first surface while monitoring optical characteristics of the optical switch.  
   
   
       12 . The method of manufacturing an optical switch according to  claim 7 , further including crushing said switching portion from the first surface of said polymer film at the notch, after forming said notch.  
   
   
       13 . The method of manufacturing an optical switch according to  claim 12 , including crushing said switching portion with a load substantially equal to a load necessary for starting plastic deformation of said polymer film.  
   
   
       14 . The method of manufacturing an optical switch according to  claim 7 , including, after forming said notch, annealing said polymer film.