Open AccessCharacterization of an 2x2 SCB Optical Switch Integrated with VOA
Author(s) -
Hen-Wei Huang,
YaoJoe Yang
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of automation and smart technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.148
H-Index - 10
ISSN - 2223-9766
DOI - 10.5875/ausmt.v2i2.107
Subject(s) - finite element method , actuator , beam (structure) , bending , optical switch , materials science , bar (unit) , surface micromachining , optical path length , optical path , thermal , characterization (materials science) , work (physics) , structural engineering , optics , mechanics , mechanical engineering , engineering , optoelectronics , physics , composite material , fabrication , electrical engineering , nanotechnology , thermodynamics , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , meteorology
This work presents the modeling, simulation and characterization of an innovative micromachined 2x2 optical switch monolithically integrated with variable optical attenuators. The device uses bi-stable mechanisms for optical switching, and can be easily realized by a standard micromachining process. The split-cross-bar design (SCB) is employed as the optical path configuration. A one-dimensional (1-D) heat transfer model is developed for estimating temperature elevation. An analytical solution is also proposed for the thermo-elastic bending and buckling problem of thermal V-beam and curved beam (pre-shaped buckled beam) actuators. The resulting governing equations with external y-directed force and thermal strain force are solved analytically. Results of the analytical solutions and the finite element (FEM) calculations are compared, with prediction accuracy within 10% of the nonlinear FEM solution, which agrees well with the experimental data