Planar polarization-routing optical cross-connects using nematic liquid crystal waveguides | Zendy

Tenghao Li | Zendy; Qingming Chen | Zendy; Weixing Yu | Zendy; Xuming Zhang | Zendy

AI Assistant Blog Pricing

Home ZAIA Blog

Open Access

Planar polarization-routing optical cross-connects using nematic liquid crystal waveguides

Author(s) -

Tenghao Li,

Qingming Chen,

Weixing Yu,

Xuming Zhang

Publication year - 2018

Publication title -

optics express

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394

H-Index - 271

ISSN - 1094-4087

DOI - 10.1364/oe.26.000402

Subject(s) - optical switch , liquid crystal , optics , planar , materials science , polarization (electrochemistry) , waveguide , switching time , insertion loss , optoelectronics , transverse mode , physics , computer science , laser , chemistry , computer graphics (images)

This paper presents the device design and performance analysis of a novel design of planar optical cross-connect (OXC) using nematic liquid crystal (NLC) waveguides. It employs N × N switching matrix in cross-bar fabric. In each unit cell, the input light is set in either the transverse electric (TE) mode or the transverse magnetic (TM) mode by electrically reorienting the NLC in the waveguide. The light then enters a passive waveguide and is routed to different paths depending on the polarization state (TE/TM mode). A sample device of 8 × 8 OXC is analyzed for performance estimation, which predicts a maximum on-chip insertion loss of 3 dB, an average cross-talk of -40 dB, ~1 ms switching time, and 2 mm × 2 mm footprint. The proposed OXC is unique in the switching mechanism of polarization-dependent routing and allows non-blocking switching with high compactness and broad bandwidth. It is potential for optical circuit switching in data centers and optical communication networks.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.

Having issues? You can contact us here

Accelerating Research