Open AccessA novel fast optical switch based on two cascaded Terahertz Optical Asymmetric Demultiplexers (TOAD)
Author(s) -
Bing C. Wang,
V. Baby,
Wilson Tong,
Lei Xu,
Michelle D. Friedman,
R.J. Runser,
Ivan Glesk,
Paul R. Prucnal
Publication year - 2002
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.10.000015
Subject(s) - toad , optics , optical switch , terahertz radiation , window (computing) , optical amplifier , materials science , physics , optoelectronics , computer science , laser , biology , ecology , operating system
A novel optical switch based on cascading two terahertz optical asymmetric demultiplexers (TOAD) is presented. By utilizing the sharp edge of the asymmetric TOAD switching window profile, two TOAD switching windows are overlapped to produce a narrower aggregate switching window, not limited by the pulse propagation time in the SOA of the TOAD. Simulations of the cascaded TOAD switching window show relatively constant window amplitude for different window sizes. Experimental results on cascading two TOADs, each with a switching window of 8ps, but with the SOA on opposite sides of the fiber loop, show a minimum switching window of 2.7ps.