Integrated wavelength-selective optical MEMS switching using ring resonator filters

Author

Nielson, Gregory N. ; Seneviratne, Dilan ; Lopez-Royo, Francisco ; Rakich, Peter T. ; Avrahami, Ytshak ; Watts, Michael R. ; Haus, Hermann A. ; Tuller, Harry L. ; Barbastathis, George

Author_Institution

Sandia Nat. Labs., Albuquerque, NM, USA

Volume

17

Issue

6

fYear

2005

fDate

6/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1190

Lastpage

1192

Abstract

An integrated optical microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switch that provides wavelength selectivity is described. The switching mechanism is based on moving a MEMS actuated optically absorbing membrane into the evanescent field of a high-index-contrast optical ring resonator. By controlling the loss, and thus, the cavity quality factor, the resonant wavelength is switched between the drop and through ports.

Keywords

Q-factor; cavity resonators; integrated optics; micro-optics; microactuators; microswitches; optical filters; optical losses; optical resonators; optical switches; optical variables control; MEMS actuation; cavity quality factor; drop port; evanescent field; high-index-contrast resonator; integrated optics; loss control; optical MEMS; optical ring resonator; optical switching; optically absorbing membrane; resonant wavelength; ring resonator filters; through port; wavelength-selective switching; Biomembranes; Integrated optics; Microelectromechanical systems; Micromechanical devices; Optical filters; Optical losses; Optical ring resonators; Optical surface waves; Optical switches; Resonator filters; Integrated optics; microelectromechanical devices; optical filters; optical switches;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1041-1135

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/LPT.2005.846951

Filename

1432772