Optomechanical switches for fiber optic communication systems

摘要

This paper describes the design, performance, and application of newly developed latching type 1 $MUL 2 single-mode fiber switch. The switch has been successfully fabricated using a micromachine technology. It exhibits excellent optical and mechanical characteristics. The optical loss is $LS 0.5 dB, the switching time is $LS 2 ms, and the driving power is only 9 mw. Switching operation was stable over 10$+8$/ switchings. A 1 $MUL 4 single-mode fiber switch constructed using three 1 $MUL 2 switches exhibited practical characteristics. Several examples of possible switch application are briefly presented.