Monolithic InP strictly non-blocking 8×8 switch for high-speed WDM optical interconnection.

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Optical Communications
• Integrated Optics

Background:

• High-speed optical interconnections are crucial for modern data networks.
• Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) enables increased data capacity.
• Existing optical switch technologies face limitations in speed, bandwidth, or integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a novel, strictly non-blocking 8x8 optical switch for high-speed WDM systems.
• To achieve ultra-broad optical bandwidth and fast reconfiguration times.
• To validate error-free data transmission at high data rates.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an 8x8 matrix switch on Indium Phosphide (InP) using a phased-array scheme.
• Integration of over 200 functional devices, including star couplers and phase-shifters, without waveguide cross-sections.
• Experimental validation of optical bandwidth, extinction ratio, reconfiguration time, and data transmission.

Main Results:

• Demonstration of an 8x8 strictly non-blocking optical switch for the first time on InP.
• Achieved ultra-broad optical bandwidth covering the entire C-band with >20dB extinction ratio.
• Successfully demonstrated nanosecond reconfiguration times and error-free 40-Gbps (10-Gbps x 4ch) WDM signal transmission.

Conclusions:

• The developed InP-based phased-array optical switch is a promising solution for high-speed WDM optical interconnections.
• The switch architecture supports broad bandwidth and rapid reconfiguration, essential for future optical networks.
• This technology enables high-capacity, efficient optical data transmission.