title: Components for the implementation of free-space optical crossbars.
abstract: We describe an optical system developed to form the basis of a 64 × 64 free-space optical matrix-matrix crossbar switch. The design and performance of each of the main optical components is discussed: lenses, diffractive optical elements, and polarizing beamsplitters, together with the optomechanical hardware design. For these components, throughput levels of -6.9 dB have been achieved, which is compatible with full system operation at 10(-12) bit error rates at ≥270 Mbits s(-1).
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Buller
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Neilson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Taghizadeh
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Walker