Suppressed modal interference switches with integrated curved amplifiers for scaleable photonic crossconnects

A novel, compact optical switch that incorporates two 1/spl times/2 suppressed modal interference (SMI) switches with an integrated curved amplifier is demonstrated as a basic component for scaleable, lossless photonic crossconnects. The basic operation of the switch is described and measured on/off ratios of 22 dB (16 dB) are reported for the cross (bar) state with switching currents of less than 25 mA per section. Lossless switching was attained in the amplified cross state, while only 0.5 dB of excess loss was measured in the unamplified bar state. Cascading of these elements should lead to N/spl times/N lossless, optical crossconnects with crosstalk levels near 40 dB.