Optical switches
View Patent ↗Optical switches are described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary optical switch includes, but is not limited to, a first waveguide, a second waveguide across with the first waveguide in an angle to form an intersection, and a pair of electrodes placed within a proximity of the intersection to switch a light traveling from the first waveguide to the second waveguide, where the intersection includes a geometry that supports single and multimode propagation. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
1. An optical switch, comprising:
a first waveguide;
a second waveguide across with the first waveguide in an angle to form an intersection; and
a pair of electrodes placed within a proximity of the intersection to switch a light traveling from the first waveguide to the second waveguide, wherein at least one electrode has at least one protrogen edge that reflects light; wherein the intersection includes a geometry having a ridge width (W), a ridge height (H), and a slab height (h) satisfying the following equation
2
W
H
≤
α
+
h
H
1
-
(
h
H
)
2
,
wherein α is ranging from approximately 0.0 to 0.3.
2. The optical switch of claim 1 , wherein the intersection is formed having a doping profile layer and a metallization profile layer.
3. The optical switch of claim 1 , wherein H is ranging from approximately 4 μm to 16 μm.
4. The optical switch of claim 1 wherein a slab height ratio of h/H is ranging from approximately 0.7 to 0.9.
5. The optical switch of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of W/H is ranging from approximately 0.64 to 1.0.
6. The optical switch of clam 1 , wherein the pair of electrodes have a small crossing angle.
7. The optical switch of claim 6 , wherein the small crossing angle is less than one radian.
8. The optical switch of claim 1 , wherein an electrode length of one of the pair of electrodes is related to a mode-profile width, wherein the mode-profile width exceeds W.
9. The optical switch of claim 1 , wherein the first and second waveguides form an X-switch.
10. The optical switch of claim 9 , wherein a cross state of the X-switch provide little or no attenuation when powered off and transmits light.
11. The optical switch of claim 9 , wherein a bar state of the X-switch provide high attenuation when powered off and blocks light.
12. The optical switch of claim 1 , wherein the first and second waveguides form a Y-switch.
13. The optical switch of claim 12 , wherein a bar state of the Y-switch provide little or no attenuation when powered off and transmits light.
14. The optical switch of claim 12 , wherein a cross state of the Y-switch provide high attenuation when powered off and blocks light.
15. The optical switch of claim 1 , further comprising:
an output port that acts as a tap giving power of an input signal.