Open AccessProposal of a grating-based optical reflection switch using phase change materials
Author(s) -
Xiaomin Wang,
Masashi Kuwahara,
Kunio Awazu,
Paul Fons,
Junji Tominaga,
Yoshimichi Ohki
Publication year - 2009
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.17.016947
Subject(s) - grating , optics , finite difference time domain method , materials science , optical switch , reflection (computer programming) , planar , optoelectronics , diffraction grating , switching time , dielectric , blazed grating , computer science , physics , computer graphics (images) , programming language
We have proposed a novel grating-based optical reflection switch using a phase change material (PCM). The device switches on/off light or shifts the light propagation direction by switching the PCM grating between its amorphous and crystalline states. Thus, the switching status is non-volatile and the device is promising for realizing low power consumption. The device structure was designed and optimized by numerical simulations to obtain high switching efficiency. It is shown that there exists a parameter window where high efficiency is achievable. The static switching characteristics were confirmed by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations. The design scheme can also be applied to other planar dielectric gratings.