Abstract

Photonic switching, when integrated with the optoelectronic circuit elements required for routing control and optical signal conditioning, is of interest for network reconfiguration, highspeed LANs, and optical cross-connects [l]-[4]. The adiabatic modal evolution, asymmetric Digital Optical Switch is a promising candidate for an efficient optical space switch for these applications. It can operate independently of light polarization, it is less sensitive to wavelength and fabrication uncertainties than conventional directional couplers, it switches completely for sufficient induced asymmetry, and because it is a semiconductor it may be integrated with other active devices.

© 1994 Optical Society of America