Integrated Multichannel Optical Wavelength Selective Switches Incorporating an Arrayed-Waveguide Grating Multiplexer and Thermooptic Switches

Abstract

A multichannel optical wavelength selective switch is investigated, which can switch signals at arbitrary wavelengths between multichannels in wavelength division multiplexing systems. It is based on the combination of an arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexer and an array of optical space-division switches. A monolithically integrated 2\;\times\;2 optical wavelength selective switch is successfully fabricated for four multiplexed signals in the 1.55\;\mum wavelength region. Here, an AWG and four 2\;\times\;2 thermooptic switches are laid out on a 30\;\times\;60 mm2 chip. Wavelength selective switching operations for four wavelength signals between two lines are demonstrated in a time slot of 40 ms with a switching speed of 1 ms.

[IEEE ]