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Low Power Consumption Hybrid-Integrated Thermo-Optic Switch with Polymer Cladding and Silica Waveguide Core
Yuqi Xie1, Jiachen Han1, Tian Qin2
1College of New Materials and New Energies, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China.
Polymers
|December 11, 2022
Summary
This study presents a hybrid-integrated thermo-optic switch using polymer materials, significantly reducing power consumption compared to silica-based devices. The novel design enhances efficiency for applications like array switches and ROADM technology.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Silica-based planar light-wave circuits (PLCs) face high driving power requirements for thermo-optic switches.
- Polymer materials offer a large thermo-optical coefficient, advantageous for optical switch design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and simulate a hybrid-integrated thermo-optic switch compatible with silica PLC platforms.
- To reduce the power consumption of thermo-optic switches through structural optimization.
Main Methods:
- Hybrid integration of polymer materials with silica PLC platform.
- Introduction of an air trench structure to minimize heat dissipation.
- Optimization of heating region structural parameters.
Main Results:
- Achieved a significant reduction in switching power consumption from over 115 mW to approximately 5.5-6 mW for both TE and TM modes.
- Simulated switch rise times of 121 µs (TE) and 118 µs (TM), and fall times of 329 µs for both modes.
- Demonstrated compatibility with existing silica-based PLC technology.
Conclusions:
- The developed hybrid-integrated thermo-optic switch offers a low-power solution for optical switching.
- This technology is suitable for advanced applications such as array switches and reconfigurable add/drop multiplexing (ROADM).
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