Reconfigurable binary optical routing switches with fan-out based on the integration of GaAs/AlGaAs surface-emitting lasers and heterojunction phototransistors

The design, fabrication, and experimental demonstration of dynamically reconfigurable binary optical switches based on the integration of GaAs/AlGaAs vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and heterojunction phototransistors are reported. These new monolithic optical switches can perform spatial routing and optical amplification functions on input optical data with a fan-out of two, and can be programmed using simple voltage control. The 1/spl times/2 and 2/spl times/2 devices provide the basis for a high performance, two-dimensional optical switching fabric with electrical interfaces for optical switching and interconnection networks.<
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