Evaluation of the crosstalk and losses in a multi-transducer acousto-optic switch

We present theoretical and experimental study of losses and crosstalk in a 2times2 optical switch based on a multi- transducers acousto-optic TeO₂ deflector. The deflector is realized by superimposition of two phase gratings in the crystal. This study shows that the losses are not significant and that the crosstalk values at the switch outputs depend on the working frequencies. The appropriate choice of the frequencies allows to carry out the switch with crosstalk less than -50 dB at the two outputs of the switch and in the two configurations. This acousto- optic switch with phased array transducers is suitable for telecommunication applications.