Integrated optical routing topology for MicroPhotonic switches

Abstract

In this paper, an integrated optical beam router for MicroPhotonic switching is described. The router employs a piecewise linear optic that steers and couples optical collimated beams to optical fiber ports with minimum loss. Experimental results show that for a 3-port MicroPhotonic switch, fiber-to-fiber optical coupling loss less than 0.5 dB and insertion loss uniformity better than 0.25 dB can be achieved, and the tolerance to fluctuations in design parameters is practical. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2004.