Reliability of silica-based PLC thermo-optic switches

摘要

Optical cross-connects and optical add-drop multiplexers are essential for the construction of WDM network system with larger capacity and higher performance. Optical switches attract much attention because they will act as key devices in the network. Silica-based PLC optical switches we have developed have excellent optical characteristics and are near practical use. Among those optical switches, 8-arrayed 2×2 and 8-arrayed 1×2 optical switches was investigated in terms of reliability. Through a set of reliability tests based on Telcordia standards, we confirmed the sufficient mechanical strength and the long-term reliability of the switches.