Abstract

Technologies for optical switching are advancing rapidly. Guided-wave electro-optic switch matrices in LiNb0₃ have been produced in many architectural variants at sizes up to 16 × 16 on a single substrate with attached single-mode fibres. The prospect of increased functionality and versatility via optoelectronic integration has led to vigorous efforts to establish guided-wave switching components in semiconductor materials, predominantly InP-based with a much smaller emphasis on GaAs/AlGaAs, wherein a greater range of physical mechanisms may be employed to provide the switching function.

© 1991 Optical Society of America