Polarization-preserving, phase-and-polarization-insensitive, photonic data router

摘要

A polarization insensitive photonic information router that can use polarization sensitive switches is disclosed. A photonic input signal is polarization separated into two paths having mutually orthogonal fixed polarizations and complementary amplitude fluctuations in accordance with polarization fluctuations of the input signal. Duplicate-acting switches, one for each fixed polarization, produce switched, polarized signal pairs. These are connected so as to recombine energy from both polarization contributions in each of the switched outputs. Recombining can standardize output polarizations, or reproduce the input polarization fluctuations. Polarization stabilization can also be used before switching. Decoding packet data to operate the switch produces a polarization insensitive packet switching router.