Photonic Crystal Mach-Zehnder Optical Switch Based on Phase Change Material

In this paper, we have proposed an ultra-low power and compact 1×1 Mach-Zehnder all-optical switch by using the hexagonal lattice of photonic crystal. The switching operation of ON and OFF condition realized by using the phase-change material which exhibits the property of changing its state from amorphous to crystalline. Optical data signal has no role in transforming the state of the phase-change material as a result the devices can be operated with low power excitation. The footprint of the 1×1 optical switch is 91.76 μm². The proposed switch exhibits high extinction ratio of 69.70 dB at the wavelengths of 1550 nm. The proposed miniature switch can be used for low power optical signal operations and find its applications in the future optical communication networks and photonic integrated circuits.