Optical switch

About: Optical switch is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 28538 publications have been published within this topic receiving 351176 citations.

Polymer Fiber Optics: Materials, Physics, and Applications

Abstract: HISTORY OF POLYMER OPTICAL FIBERS Introduction Using Light for Telecommunications Glass Fibers Polymer Fibers The Future LIGHT PROPAGATION IN A FIBER WAVEGUIDE Introduction Bound Modes of Step-Index Fibers Multimode Waveguides Ray Propagation in a Graded-Index Medium Directional Couplers Conclusion Acknowledgments FABRICATING FIBERS Making Polymer Fibers by Extrusion Making Polymer Fiber by Drawing a Preform Birefringence of Drawn Fibers Mechanical Properties of Fibers THEORY OF REFRACTIVE INDEX AND LOSS Refractive Index Optical Loss Bending Loss Dispersion A Practical Example Polarization CHARACTERIZATION TECHNIQUES AND PROPERTIES Refractive Index Optical Loss Numerical Aperture Bandwidth TRANSMISSION, LIGHT SOURCES, AND AMPLIFIERS Transmission Displays Optical Amplification and Lasing OPTICAL SWITCHING Electrooptic Switching All-Optical Switching STRUCTURED FIBERS AND SPECIALTY APPLICATIONS Bragg Gratings Advanced Structured Fibers Photorefraction Stress and Temperature Sensors Chemical Sensors Appendix - Coupled Wave Equation SMART FIBERS AND MATERIALS Smart Materials Photomechanical Effects The Future of Smart Photonic Materials CONCLUSION Bibliography Index

Ultrafast Photon-Photon Interaction in a Strongly Coupled Quantum Dot-Cavity System

Abstract: We study dynamics of the interaction between two weak light beams mediated by a strongly coupled quantum dot–photonic crystal cavity system. First, we perform all-optical switching of a weak continuous-wave signal with a pulsed control beam, and then perform switching between two weak pulsed beams (40 ps pulses). Our results show that the quantum dot–nanocavity system enables fast, controllable optical switching at the single-photon level.

Frequency-selective optical switch employing a frequency dispersive element, polarization dispersive element and polarization modulating elements

Abstract: A liquid-crystal optical switch capable of switching separate optical signals in a physical input channel to a selected output channel. A diffraction grating spatially divides the input channel into its frequency components, which pass through different segments of a liquid-crystal modulator. The liquid-crystal modulator segments are separately controlled to rotate the polarization of the frequency channel passing therethrough or to leave it intact. The channels then pass through a polarization-dispersive element, such as calcite, which spatially separates the beams in the transverse direction according to their polarization. A second diffraction grating recombines the frequency components of the same polarization into multiple output beams.

Microelectronic module having optical and electrical interconnects

Abstract: A multichip module having high density optical and electrical interconnections between integrated circuit chips includes a substrate overlaying an array of integrated circuit chips. An optical transmitter generates a first optical beam through the substrate and an optical detector receives a second optical beam through the substrate. A hologram is positioned in the path of at least one of the first and second optical beams. An array of electrical contact pads is located on the substrate corresponding to the array of electrical contact pads on the respective integrated circuit chips. A pattern of electrical interconnection lines is located on the substrate for electrically interconnecting the integrated circuit chips. A solder bump between electrical contact pads on the substrate and on the integrated circuit chips establish electrical connections between the substrate and the integrated circuit chips, and also facilitate alignment of the integrated circuit chips with respect to the substrate. The optical transmitter and detector may be mounted on/in the substrate or on/in the integrated circuit chips. The optical transmitter and detector may also be used to provide optical connections external to the microelectronic module, using a holographic substrate to optically link modules. The substrate may also be used to establish optical alignment of the hologram to an underlying optical emitter and/or optical detector without establishing electrical connections thereto.

Low-photon-number optical switching with a single quantum dot coupled to a photonic crystal cavity.

Abstract: We demonstrate fast nonlinear optical switching between two laser pulses with as few as 140 photons of pulse energy by utilizing strong coupling between a single quantum dot (QD) and a photonic crystal cavity. The cavity-QD coupling is modified by a detuned pump pulse, resulting in a modulation of the scattered and transmitted amplitude of a time synchronized probe pulse that is resonant with the QD. The temporal switching response is measured to be as fast as 120 ps, demonstrating the ability to perform optical switching on picosecond timescales.