Bill,
<<So how do you read this? To me, it sounds like a mechanical system, just as the words "Microelectricomechanical system" imply. I'm not sure what I meant by solid state (!), except that it would have no moving parts. I have no idea how that could be accomplished. It just seems to me that reliability must be high in these things and I believe mechanical systems as a rule are less reliable than solid state.>>
I agree that it sounds like a mechanical system, just like other "solid state" devices like accelerometers, load cells, pressure sensors, and even lasers. Solid state seemed to become a marketing term in the 60s, and has often been used to imply no moving parts. Things that move, especially rotational motion, wear out more quickly we are told.
If I had read the article you referenced, I'm guessing that it would give the magnitude of the movement as on the order of a micron, rather than a large fraction of an inch. Silicon has great mechanical properties in addition to its electronic/semi-conductor properties. Its movement can be very repeatable, with little hysteresis or plastic deformation.
I don't know what alternatives to MEMS for optical switching are in R&D now, but I'm guessing that some of them might alter the index of refraction to bend the optical signal more or less. This might be less Rube Goldbergesque but could add dispersion/jitter to the signal. This topic could be interesting to research. Maybe somebody else on the thread has a greater acquaintance with optical switching and could educate the two of us.
Greg |
