2×3 Thermo-optical switch utilizing total internal reflection.

A photonic switch of 2×3 structure was designed and fabricated using the thermo-optical effect of polymer materials. By setting sectional electrode and exerting voltage to proper section, we can control the reflection region length and ray propagation trace. Input light can be switched freely among three output ports. The experiment results show that, for the “half-reflection” state, the extinction ratio is 16.6 dB for the half-reflection port; and for the “bar” state, the extinction ratio for the reflection port is 26.8 dB. The power consumption is on the scale of 100 mW and varies with different function mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]