Intelligent photonic switch based on polarization-selective birefringent computer-generated holograms

We designed and implemented an intelligent reflecting 2 x 1 photonic switch using polarization-selective birefringent computer-generated holograms combined with two polarization modulators. In functional terms, the reflecting switch provides a through path to the output when only one incoming link is transmitting. When both incoming links attempt transmission, the switch turns reflecting, thereby permitting a full exchange of the two incoming streams. The switch can also be set to detect backpropagating beams at its output, to split the beam evenly, and to route the two resulting beams to each of the two inputs. The switch is useful for ultrafast fault-tolerant photonic network applications.