Apparatus and methods relating to fluorescent optical switches

Abstract

A fiber optic switching system which includes an optical switch having a movable actuator and a light fiber coupled to the actuator which terminates at an end target surface thereof for conducting excitation light from a light source to the optical switch mechanism. A flexible film or other surface whose response is conditioned to provide at least two different fluorescent surfaces is positioned such that an end surface of the actuator abuts or is placed in close proximity to the film throughout its movement from one position to another. A detector detects light emitted from the film. The actuator is movable so as to direct excitation light from the light fiber from the one fluorescent surface of the film to another and the detector detects light emitted from the film so as to determine which fluorescent surface of the film from which light has been emitted.

1 - 25 . (canceled)  
     
     
         26 . A method of making an optical switch comprising a target surface that provides a plurality of optical responses, comprising: 
 a) placing a fluorophore-containing target material in a first target location of the switch, the fluorophore-containing target material comprising a surface defining a first target area that provides a first fluorescent response when illuminated by excitation light, and    b) providing the switch with a second target area that provides a second light response when illuminated.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the second target area contains substantially no fluorophores and the second fluorescent light response comprises substantially no fluorescence light.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the second light response comprises a fluorescent response and the first fluorescent response and the second fluorescent response comprise detectably different wavelengths or wavelength bands of fluorescent light.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the first fluorescent response and the second fluorescent response further comprise detectably different intensities of fluorescent light.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the second light response comprises a fluorescent response and the first fluorescent response and the second fluorescent response comprise detectably different intensities of fluorescent light.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the first target area and the second target area each comprise at least one fluorophore that responds to a same wavelength or wavelength band of excitation light.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the first target area comprises a first fluorophore that responds to a first wavelength or wavelength band of excitation light and the second target area comprises a second fluorophore that responds to a second wavelength or wavelength band of excitation light.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the switch further comprises a third target area that provides a third fluorescent response that is detectably different from both the first fluorescent response and the second fluorescent response.  
     
     
         34 . A method of optical switching comprising: 
 a) illuminating with excitation light a first target area disposed on a target surface defining a portion of an optical switch, wherein the first target area provides a first fluorescent response when illuminated; or    b) illuminating a second target area disposed on the target surface that provides a second light response when illuminated;    c) collecting the first or second response; and    d) determining therefrom whether the first target area or the second target area of the target surface was illuminated.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the second target area contains substantially no fluorophores and the second fluorescent light response comprises substantially no fluorescence light.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the second light response comprises a fluorescent response and the first fluorescent response and the second fluorescent response comprise detectably different wavelengths or wavelength bands of fluorescent light.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the first fluorescent response and the second fluorescent response further comprise detectably different intensities of fluorescent light.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the second light response comprises a fluorescent response and the first fluorescent response and the second fluorescent response comprise detectably different intensities of fluorescent light.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the first target area and the second target area each comprise at least one fluorophore that responds to a same wavelength or wavelength band of excitation light.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the first target area comprises a first fluorophore that responds to a first wavelength or wavelength band of excitation light and the second target area comprises a second fluorophore that responds to a second wavelength or wavelength band of excitation light.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the switch further comprises a third target area that provides a third fluorescent response that is different from both the first fluorescent response and the second fluorescent response.