Re-configurable 2/spl times/2 wavelength selective cross connect switch based on a fused optical fiber coupler

We presented a novel 2/spl times/2 cross connect switch using monotonic change of coupling constant by torsional stress over the coupling region of a 1310/1550 nm WDM coupler. Within the rotation angle range less than 650/spl deg/, continuous control of power splitting ratio from 0 to 100% could be achieved. The switch showed the insertion loss less than 0.15 dB channel isolation over 22 dB and switching time less than 1 sec. The proposed device could be used in a cross connect switching system that routes 1.3 /spl mu/m signal in Giga bit Ethernet system and 1.5 /spl mu/m in DWDM or CWDM systems.