Low Threshold All-Optical Crossbar Switch on GaAs-GaA/As Channel Waveguide Array.
Abstract
POC has proposed a 10 x 10 all-optical crossbar switch based on an optically activated modulator. A laser beam with an energy higher than the bandgap of the GaAs switches the propagation direction of the guided beam. Strong index modulation (>2%) can be induced by this method, which is not dependent on polarization for the EO effect. Both TE and TM guided waves have the same induced index change. Because there, am no electrical contacts, this all-optical switch has no RC time limits. The switching speed is limited only by the generated carrier lifetime, which is in the picosecond range. Being the basic building block for high-speed optoelectronic computing and signal processing, this generic concept is applicable to a broad variety of photonic components, including optical logic gates, EO modulators, variable delay lines, and crossbar reconfigurable interconnects. To optimize the switching efficiency, several optical switch designs were studied, including cross switches and directional coupler switches. To realize the multichannel optical switches, a compact self-aligned packaging technique was developed. An all-optical switch using a 0.8 micrometer pumping laser beam and a 1.3 micrometer probe beam has been demonstrated, and efficiency as a function of pumping power and wavelength was studied. High speed modulation, GaAs switch, Crossbar switch.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 14, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA274971
Entities
People
- Tomasz Jannson