Optical switches

Abstract

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. The intersection includes a geometry having a ridge width ranging approximately from 2.6 μm to 19.2 μm and a ridge height ranging approximately from 4 μm to 16 μm. 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 the intersection includes a geometry having a ridge width ranging approximately from 2.6 μm to 19.2 μm and a ridge height ranging approximately from 4 μm to 16 μm.   
   
   
       2 . The optical switch of  claim 1 , wherein the ridge width is substantially the same as the ridge height. 
   
   
       3 . The optical switch of  claim 1 , wherein the intersection is formed having a doping profile layer and a metallization profile layer. 
   
   
       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.   
   
   
       16 . An optical switch matrix, comprising:
 a plurality of input and output ports; and   a plurality of switches to direct a plurality of lights from at least one of the input ports to at least one of the output ports, wherein at least one of the switches includes
 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 the intersection includes a geometry having a ridge width ranging approximately from 2.6 μm to 19.2 μm and a ridge height ranging approximately from 4 μm to 16 μm. 
   
   
   
       17 . The optical switch matrix of  claim 15 , wherein the optical switch matrix is an N×N crossbar switch. 
   
   
       18 . The optical switch matrix of  claim 15 , wherein the optical switch matrix is an N×N double crossbar switch. 
   
   
       19 . The optical switch matrix of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second waveguides form an X-switch and the bar state of the X-switch forms a switched and attenuated output. 
   
   
       20 . The optical switch matrix of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second waveguides form a Y-switch and the cross state of the Y-switch forms a switched and attenuated output.