Multi-branch digital optical switch

Details Multi-branch digital optical switch Multi-branch digital optical switch

1994-01-13

1994-10-18

Lee, John D.

Optical waveguides

With optical coupler

Switch

385 14, 385 15, G02B 626

Patent

active

053575890

ABSTRACT:
A multi-branch digital optical switch having three branch waveguides through which light may exit. The multi-branch digital optical switch includes a main waveguide, two side branch waveguides, and one center branch waveguide. The two side branch waveguides diverge symmetrically from the center branch waveguide at angles which are sufficiently small to allow modal evolution through the switch to be substantially adiabatic. Electric fields are used to raise the index of refraction of one side branch waveguide above the index of the center branch waveguide and to lower the index of refraction of the other side branch below the index of the center branch waveguide. The switch has an extinction ratio of 700:1 (28 dB) between its two side branches.

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