Polymeric Waveguide Optical Switch With Bascule Structure Using Novel Trench Forming Process

We develop a polymeric waveguide optical switch with a bascule structure. Our novel matrix switch diverts light from one waveguide to a crossing waveguide in a polymeric waveguide film, using total internal reflection (TIR) of the interface between a waveguide and a trench at the waveguide cross point by mechanical actuation. The key technique for achieving a low-loss property is a novel cleaving method of forming trenches at waveguide cross points. We achieved a loss of 5 dB for the longest path of an 8 times 8 matrix switch demonstrator, high speed switching operation up to 100 mus, and reliable performance over 10 million times switching.