Title :
Performance and modeling of advanced Ti:LiNbO3 digital optical switches
Author :
Krähenbühl, R. ; Howerton, M.M. ; Dubinger, J. ; Greenblatt, A.S.
Author_Institution :
VPI, Blacksburg, VA, USA
fDate :
1/1/2002 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
High-performance Y-branch digital optical switches realized in Ti:LiNbO3 are presented. Their switching response functions have been optimized in terms of switch voltage and crosstalk ratio. The optimization is based on analyzing different types of waveguide shaping and switching arrangements using coupled mode theory and computer simulations. Excellent switching characteristics are achieved with devices exploiting a specially shaped waveguide branch in a dilated switch arrangement. Demonstrated performances include switching voltage as low as 9 V with crosstalk suppression better than 45 dB and fiber-to-fiber losses as low as 4 dB. Polarization independence with crosstalk suppression better than 40 dB over a 1520- to 1570-nm wavelength range is achieved for any applied switch voltage greater than 18 V. These optimized digital optical switches have further demonstrated the capability to reshape electrical input signals at switching rates of several hundred megahertz
Keywords :
electro-optical switches; lithium compounds; optical communication equipment; optical crosstalk; optical design techniques; optimisation; titanium; wavelength division multiplexing; 1520 to 1570 nm; 18 V; 4 dB; 9 V; LiNbO3:Ti; Ti:LiNbO3 digital optical switch performance modelling; WDM; Y-branch digital optical switches; computer simulations; coupled mode theory; crosstalk ratio; crosstalk suppression; dilated switch arrangement; electrical input signal reshaping; fiber-to-fiber losses; optimization; optimized digital optical switches; polarization independence; switch voltage; switching characteristics; switching rates; switching response functions; switching voltage; waveguide branch; waveguide shaping; wavelength division multiplexing; Computer simulation; Coupled mode analysis; Crosstalk; Low voltage; Optical fiber devices; Optical fiber polarization; Optical fiber theory; Optical switches; Optical waveguide theory; Optical waveguides;
Journal_Title :
Lightwave Technology, Journal of
