Microwave switching performance of high -speed optoelectronic switches: An efficiency comparison of the basic types

Presently, four basic types of optoelectronic switches are known to be successfully applicable for high-speed optoelectronic microwave switching. A comparison of these devices in terms of maximum power transmission coefficient as a function of optical wavelength is reported. It is found that the substrate edge excitation method offers the highest overall efficiency, and is, therefore, especially practical for a compact switch control through laser diodes.