All-optical switch with NOLM structure based on a 3x3 collinear fiber coupler

Abstract

All-optical switch is a key component for all-optical communication and switching; we demonstrate an all-optical switch with two switched output-ports like a nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM)based on a 3x3 collinear fiber coupler. After introducing the principle in this paper we give some pulse switching experimental results. In order to avoid high power laser system and save the cost the NOLM loop is made up of 12km G.652 fiber, the extinction ratio of switching signal is more than 20dB. Further we optimize the loop and EDFA, without reducing the extinction ratio we observe the pulse switching in a loop length less than 6km G.652 fiber. Compared to conventional optical switches, this type switch can support two switched output-ports which act complementarily at the same time, this character is practical for optical switching, and data signal can be selected to one of the multi-output ports by optical control signal.