Abstract

An all optical switch is a device that allows one optical signal to control another optical signal. Photonic switches in general use either mirror or refractive effects to redirect the stream of light. The signals carried on the fiber are optical and would stay optical throughout the switch, with no need to translate to electrical and back to optical. The standard process is to use one strong beam of one color as the switch and control the switch with a weak probe beam of a different color. One example of a photonic switch starts with it being emitted from a crystal. When a switching beam is introduced the output beam changes directions from the off position to the on position. This effect can replace an electrical switch that uses wire contact with the media. Optical switches cannot be made easily because strong light needs to be used to create a suitable interaction of two beams in an optical switch. Optical switches are important for communications, since long distance telephone and internet communications are carried over optical fibers.

© 2007 Optical Society of America