Abstract

Optical switching using a dynamic local index gradient induced within a single waveguide is investigated using optical simulations and demonstrated experimentally in an InGaAsP/InP Y-junction waveguide switch. Switching is accomplished by inducing a steep thermal gradient across the Y-junction input waveguide. Both thermal simulations and experiments indicate that the required thermal gradient can be established within a few hundred nanoseconds, several orders of magnitude faster than the overall thermal response time. The Y-junction device has a measured switch contrast ratio better than 10 dB, with a transition time of less than 1 μs.

© 2003 Optical Society of America