Abstract

Thermo-optic switches are interesting components when only low speed switching is required. Compared to electro-optic switching, the thermo-optic effect has a number of advantages, i.e. no electrical drift, larger induced refractive index changes and more flexibility in use of materials, since the thermo-optic effect is an intrinsic materials property. Thermo-optic digital optical switches (DOS) can be used in many applications, such as distribution, protection etc. For practical applications insertion loss, extinction coefficients and polarization independence of the switch are critical parameters.

© 1994 Optical Society of America