N × N polymer matrix switches using thermo-optic total-internal-reflection switch.
We have developed fully non-blocking optical matrix switches using a thermo-optic polymer 1 × 2 total-internal-reflection (TIR) switch as a unit switching element. The TIR switch consists of crossed multimode polymer waveguides and an offset heater electrode at the switching node. The fabricated 4 × 4 and 8 × 8 optical matrix switch chips show excellent switching performances. The insertion losses are less than 2.5 and 4.5 dB for the 4 × 4 and 8 × 8 matrix switches, respectively, and their switching isolations during a turned-off state are higher than 38 dB. The switching time is about 3 ms, and the power consumption for each switching element is below 30 mW. Compact integration of the 4 × 4 and 8 × 8 switch chips is achieved at sizes of 25 mm × 4.25 mm, and 42.4 mm × 5 mm, respectively, through an optimization of the waveguide and heater geometries.
Photonic Computer Systems Laboratory, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 335 Gwahangno, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701, South Korea. frenclin@etri.re.kr
Young-Tak
YT
Han
Jang-Uk
JU
Shin
Sang-Ho
SH
Park
Hyung-Jong
HJ
Lee
Wol-Yon
WY
Hwang
Hyo-Hoon
HH
Park
Yongsoon
Y
Baek