Polymeric digital optical switch incorporating linear branch with modified coupling region

Abstract

A digital optical switch in electro-optic polymer has been proposed and fabricated by incorporating a linear branch with a modified coupling region. The refractive index profiles in the coupling region of the branch have been adjusted adiabatically to enhance the switching performance by utilising post-fabrication photobleaching. Consequently, the drive voltage was reduced by more than 40% and the crosstalk improved by as much as 6dB.