Optical Switches Using Active A1GaAs/GaAs Ridge Waveguides

摘要

We have investigated active optical switches using AlGaAs/CaAs multiple quantumsingle mode ridge waveguide traveling-wave laser amplifiers. The motivation of this project is to provide the feasibility of the active switches for high-speed optical switching systems in all-optical networks. We have designed a multiple quantum well layer structure and a single mode ridge waveguide which was used in these active devices. lxl (modulator), 1x2 (bifurcation switch), 2x2 (optical crossbar), 1x4 (4-way splitter), and 4x4 (reconfigurable switch) active switches have been designed, fabricated, and tested. In order to analyze and design the ridge waveguide structure, we have developed a numerical technique, based on an integrated finite-difference method combined with the Arnoldi method. The active switches have been fabricated in the Microelectronics Laboratory for Research and Education at the University of Minnesota. The switches have been tested for proper switching functions. A 30 dB extinction ratio and 19 GHz bandwidth of small signal modulation response have been obtained from the lxl switch. 28 dB extinction ratio and power splitting have been achieved in the 1x2 test. The 2x2 switch has demonstrated the crossbar switching function. Due to the package problems, the test of the 1x4 and 4x4 switch have not been completed. (MM).