All-optical routing and switching for three-dimensional photonic circuitry

作者:Keil Robert*; Heinrich Matthias; Dreisow Felix; Pertsch Thomas; Tuennermann Andreas; Nolte Stefan; Christodoulides Demetrios N; Szameit Alexander
来源:Scientific Reports, 2011, 1: 94.
DOI:10.1038/srep00094

摘要

The ability to efficiently transmit and rapidly process huge amounts of data has become almost indispensable to our daily lives. It turned out that all-optical networks provide a very promising platform to deal with this task. Within such networks opto-optical switches, where light is directed by light, are a crucial building block for an effective operation. In this article, we present an experimental analysis of the routing and switching behaviour of light in two-dimensional evanescently coupled waveguide arrays of Y- and T-junction geometries directly inscribed into fused silica using ultrashort laser pulses. These systems have the fundamental advantage of supporting three-dimensional network topologies, thereby breaking the limitations on complexity associated with planar structures while maintaining a high dirigibility of the light. Our results show how such arrays can be used to control the flow of optical signals within integrated photonic circuits.

  • 出版日期2011-9-15