Switching power reduction using a pumped nonlinear directional coupler

We show that in a nonlinear directional coupler (NLDC) in which the signal is controlled by a pump of appropriate and different wavelength, the power needed for full switching is 3 times lower than for the same device used as a self switch. This power requirement is only /spl radic/3 times higher than for a Mach-Zehnder switch, which makes the NLDC even more appealing for practical multiplexing and switching applications.