Tutorial: waveguide-based optical cross-connect switches

Summary form only given, as follows. Photonic switch arrays utilizing waveguide devices address numerouswavelength division multiplexing applications. They possess scveral advantages, including small size, permanent optical alignment, insensitivity to vibration and straightforward integration. Switches based on optical interference, total internal refleaion and amplification will be discussed, with emphasis on devices that change state on the millisecond time sale.