A Y-junction optical switch based on field-induced control of refractive index

A new type of Y-junction optical switch structure based on refractive-index-controllable waveguides is investigated. Switching operation is observed when polarity of the reverse bias applied between the two arms of the Y-branch is alternated. A crosstalk of less than -12 dB is achieved with a transition length of less than 400 mu m at a 1.06- mu m wavelength. An optical switch is realizable with this structure that has small size, large optical bandwidth, and high speed.<
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