A polarization-independent 1 × 16 guided-wave optical switch integrated on lithium niobate

We report the fabrication and testing of several models of a complex integrated Ti : LiNbO3switch array, a one-input-to-sixteen-output switch that is polarization independent for use with standard single-mode fibers. The switch array has 15 directional couplers arranged in a binary tree with four ranks. The device is fitted with connectorized single-mode fiber pigtails and housed in a package that permits convenient transport and use. The best measured losses (fiber-waveguide-fiber) are 3.0 dB for the TE polarization and 3.6 dB for the TM. Permanent attachment of the pigtails adds 0.65-dB loss. Crosstalk suppression averages 10 dB below the transmitted signal for the brightest unwanted path.