Thermal optical switch apparatus and methods with enhanced thermal isolation

摘要

Thermal optical switch apparatus with enhanced thermal isolation includes a cladding region with first and second spaced apart waveguide cores buried therein to form first and second waveguides. A thermal insulation barrier filled with insulating material is formed in the cladding between the first and second waveguides to thermally isolate the waveguides. In one embodiment, the insulating material is an aerogel. Methods of operation are also described.