Space-switching at 1.55 μm using thermo-optic tunable polymer waveguide devices

摘要

The fabrication technology for integrated thermo-optic (TO) tunable polymer space-switching elements is described. Single space-switching elements like (1×1)-Mach-Zehnder (MZ)-type switches and (2×2)-directional coupler (DC)-type switches are presented. The integration of five (2×2)-DC-type switches forming a (4×4)-matrix-switch is demonstrated. The switches are operated at 1.55 μm wavelength and show a low electrical power consumption in combination with an excellent response time. Their lack of polarization sensitivity promises a high potential for use in future optical transparent communication systems.