Title :
An electrostatically actuated 1 x 2 moving-fiber switch
Author :
Hoffmann, Martin ; Nüsse, Dirk ; Voges, Edgar
Author_Institution :
Lehrstuhl Hochfrequenztech., Univ. Dortmund, Germany
Abstract :
A 1/spl times/2 moving-fiber switch for optical protection switching is presented. A detailed measurement of the optical performance is given. A coupling loss of 0.5 dB is achieved in the lensless optical path based on butt-coupled standard single-mode fibers. The actuation voltage is approximately 30 V. Both the electrostatic parallel-plate actuators and the fiber alignment structures are realized by anisotropic machining of crystalline silicon. This type of switch is designed for compact rows of switches.
Keywords :
electro-optical switches; electrostatic actuators; micromachining; optical communication equipment; optical fibre couplers; optical fibre losses; optical fibres; silicon; 30 V; Si; actuation voltage; anisotropic machining; butt-coupled standard single-mode fibers; coupling loss; crystalline silicon; electrostatic parallel-plate actuators; electrostatically actuated 1/spl times/2 moving-fiber switch; fiber alignment structures; lensless optical path; optical performance; optical protection switching; Anisotropic magnetoresistance; Electrostatic actuators; Electrostatic measurements; Geometrical optics; Machining; Optical coupling; Optical fiber losses; Optical switches; Protection switching; Voltage;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/LPT.2002.805806
