Optical communication using optical fibres as the transmission medium is essential to handling the massive growth of both telecom and datacom traffic. To fully realize the potential bandwidth available on these optical fibres, other components of the optical network system must be developed, ranging from detectors and multiplexers to buffers and switches. This book addresses the different technologies which can be applied to switching optical signals.
An optical switch functions by selectively switching an optical signal delivered through an optical fibre or in an integrated optical circuit to another. Several methods are available and each relies on a different physical mechanism for its operation. The various physical mechanisms used are discussed in the main chapters in the book which cover electro-optical, thermo-optical, micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS)-based and semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based optical switches. The book also covers switching based on optical nonlinear effects, liquid and photonic crystal optical switches as well as fibre, holographic, quantum optical, and other types of optical switches. Each chapter discusses the choice of materials, fabrication techniques and key issues in switch design.
With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Optical switches: materials and design is a standard reference for the telecommunications industry and those researching this important topic.
Table of Contents:
Introduction to optical switches
S J Chua, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Electro-optical switches
B J Li, Sun Yat-Sen University, China
Introduction. Theory and principles of electro-optical switches. Materials and fabrication of electro-optical switches. Device structures of electro-optical switches. Performance and challenges. References.
Thermo-optical switches
L Sirleto, G Coppola, M Iodice, M Casalino, M Gioffrè and I Rendina, National Research Council-Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, Italy
Introduction. Theory and principles of thermo-topic effect. Materials for thermo-optical switches. Device structures of thermo-optical switches. Conclusions. List of abbreviations. List of symbols. References.
Magneto-optical switches
R J Weber and M Mina, Iowa State University, USA
Preamble. History of optical communication. All-optical switches. Magneto-optic switches. Theory and principles of magneto-optical switches. Material. Characterization of Faraday rotation. Summary. Appendices. References.
MEMS-based optical switches
A A Goldenberg, University of Toronto, Canada and L P Wong and J T W Yeow, University of Waterloo, Canada
Introduction. Optical systems. Optical switch architectures. Actuating principles of MEMS-based optical switches. Materials and fabrication of MEMS-based optical switches. Challenges surrounding MEMS-based optical switches. Conclusions. List of abbreviations. References.
SOA-based optical switches
T J Hall, University of Ottawa, Canada
Introduction. SOA based switching strategy. SOA structure. SOA design criteria. Summary. References.
Switching based on optical nonlinear effects
M P Fok and P R Prucnal, Princeton University, USA
Introduction. Nonlinear effects for optical switches. Nonlinear devices for optical switches. Semiconductor based devices. Optical fibers. Other types of nonlinear devices. Structure of nonlinear effect-based optical switches. The "Ideal" nonlinear effect-based optical switch? References.
Liquid crystal optical switches
C Vázquez García, I Pérez Garcilópez and P Contreras Lallana, Universidad Carlos III, Spain and B Vinouze and Bruno Fracasso, Telecoms Bretagne, France
Introduction. Liquid crystal theory and principles. Liquid crystal switches and applications. Future trends. Acknowledgements. References.
Photonic crystal all-optical switches
K Asakawa, Y Sugimoto and N Ikeda and Y Watanabe, National Institute for Materials Science, N Ozaki, Wakayama University, Y Takata, KYOCERA Corporation, Y Kitagawa, Stanley Electric Cp. Ltd, S Ohnkouchim and S Nakamura, NEC Corporation, A Watanabe, Meijo University and X Wang, National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, Japan
Introduction. Theory and principles of photonic crystal all-optical switches. Design and fabrication of advanced 2DPC waveguide for PC-SMZ. Growth and characterization of optical QDs for PC-FF. Device structures and performances of photonic crystal all-optical switches. Conclusion. Acknowledgments. References.
Fibre, holographic, quantum optical and other types of optical switches
Y Zhang and B J Li, Sun Yat-Sen University, China
Introduction. Fiber switches. Holographic switches. Quantum optical switches. Other switches. References.
Summary: key trends in optical switches
S J Chua, National University of Singapore, Singapore
