Optical structures including liquid bumps

Abstract

A liquid prime mover can be used to position a component on a substrate. For example, a liquid material can be provided on the substrate adjacent the component such that the component has a first position relative to the substrate. A property of the liquid material can then be changed to move the component from the first position relative to the substrate to a second position relative to the substrate. Related structures are also discussed.

1 . An optical structure comprising: 
 first and second elongate liquid bumps on a substrate wherein the first and second elongate liquid bumps are parallel; and    an optical fiber in contact with and between the first and second elongate liquid bumps.    
   
   
       2 . An optical structure according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second elongate liquid bumps are constrained on corresponding first and second wettable areas of the substrate and wherein the first elongate liquid bump is significantly larger than the second elongate liquid bump.  
   
   
       3 . An optical structure according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second elongate liquid bumps have substantially the same dimensions.  
   
   
       4 . An optical structure comprising: 
 an optical component that generates an optical output along an optical path; and    a liquid bump in the optical path wherein the liquid bump is adapted to selectively transmit and interrupt or reflect the optical output.    
   
   
       5 . An optical structure according to  claim 4  further comprising: 
 a second optical component in the optical path wherein the second optical component receives the optical output when the optical output is transmitted past the liquid bump and wherein the second optical component does not receive the optical output when the optical output is interrupted or reflected by the liquid bump.    
   
   
       6 . A structure comprising: 
 a substrate;    a first wettable area on the substrate;    a second wettable area on the substrate;    a wettable channel on the substrate coupling the first and second wettable areas;    liquid material on the first wettable area; and    a flow control dam on the wettable channel wherein the flow control dam prevents flow of liquid between the first and second wettable areas.    
   
   
       7 . A structure according to  claim 6  further comprising: 
 liquid material on the second wettable area.    
   
   
       8 . A structure according to  claim 6  wherein the flow control dam comprises a non-wettable material on the wettable channel.  
   
   
       9 . A structure according to  claim 8  wherein the second wettable area is free of liquid and free of the non-wettable material.