Abstract

Above 40 Gbit/s optical methods (OTDM and OFDM) are considered indispensable extensions to electronic multiplexing techniques, and ultra high speed space switches are key elements. Efficient switching requires large electro-refraction, which can be provided by BRAQWETS [1], and devices based on QCSE [2] but also the Franz-Keldysh- effect (FKE) in bulk material. A further demand for ultra high speed switching is an electrode design that achieves phase matching between the electrical and optical wave [3]. In this work we demonstrate for the first time a photonic 2×2 space switch in the InP material system relying on the FKE and using travelling wave electrode exhibiting an optical 3 dB bandwidth of 35 GHz.

© 1994 Optical Society of America