A rearrangeable multichannel free-space optical switch based on multistage network configuration

A rearrangeable 128*128-channel optical switch based on a multistage network configuration is demonstrated. The properties of optical components required for achieving up to 1000*1000-channel switches are discussed, taking into account the diffraction limit and liquid crystal light modulator (LCLM) crosstalk. An examination of the insertion loss and crosstalk properties of the switch reveals an average loss and crosstalk of 7.9 and -21.2 dB, respectively, and worst-case loss and crosstalk of 11.0 and -12.8 dB, respectively. Such low-loss and low-crosstalk properties indicate that the proposed switch structure is suitable for a large-scale rearrangeable switch.<
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