NXN OPTICAL SWITCHING DEVICE BASED ON THERMAL OPTIC INDUCED INTERNAL REFLECTION EFFECT

摘要

An nxn thermo-optical switch (40) comprises a first array (50) of n waveguides(51 to 58) and a second array (60) or waveguides (61 to 68) crossing thewaveguides of the first array. The waveguides may be formed from variousmaterials such as polymers. The angle .theta. defined by the intersectionbetween waveguides of the first array (50) and with the second array (60) isbetween two degrees (2~) and six degrees (6~). An electrode heater (80) isdisposed adjacent to each intersection (70) of the first array of waveguides(50) with the second array of waveguides (60). Heating of both the claddingmaterial and portions of the associated waveguides at each intersection (70)changes the refractive index such that total internal reflection may occur. Acommunication system includes a switching center comprising a plurality of nxnthermo-optical switches (40), a plurality of wavelength divisiondemultiplexers and a plurality of variable optical attenuators.