Thermally driven optical switch method and apparatus

Details Thermally driven optical switch method and apparatus Thermally driven optical switch method and apparatus

1991-02-01

1992-12-22

Lee, John D.

Optical waveguides

With optical coupler

Switch

385 4, G02B 626

Patent

active

051739569

ABSTRACT:
Optical switching between two waveguides with a common cladding interguide region is achieved by passing a current through the interguide region to heat it and thereby alter its refractive index, and controlling the current to control optical switching between the two guides. Rib waveguides on a common semiconductor layer are preferably used, with the interguide region having a lesser thickness than the core regions. Current is transmitted by forward biasing a Schottky contact to the interguide region. The switch is capable of operation at switching rates of 1 MHz.

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