Optical waveguide 2 x 2 matrix switch using dielectric chip motion

Input and output light angles in a total internal reflection optical waveguide switch, in which a guided light beam is switched by dielectric chip contact with a low-index channel built in a waveguide film, are studied to construct a matrix switch. Output angle depends on channel width, chip contact width, chip position, and input angle. In a single switch experiment, the output angle is larger than the total reflection critical angle for the channel due to narrow chip contact width. By utilizing this property, a nonblocking 2 x 2 matrix switch, driven by PZT bimorphs, is fabricated. Insertion losses of 2.9-6.0 dB, cross talk values of 10.8-28.1 dB, and switching time of 6 msec are obtained for the TE(0) mode at 0.633-microm wavelength.