High-power optical microswitch based on direct fiber actuation

Abstract

An optical microswitch is presented for high-power switching applications. The device, capable of switching several watts of optical power, employs large-core multimode fibers to switch output from a laser diode operating at a wavelength of 810 nm. Switching is achieved through the direct deflection of an on-chip fiber using a high force electrothermal actuator. Optical losses in the system are identified, and optical efficiency is predicted and verified with experimental measurements. The switch demonstrated in this work requires an electrical current of 120 mA and has an electrical power consumption of 5280 mW. The optical efficiency is found to be on the order of 88% (0.55–0.60 dB loss) with a maximum power transfer of 1690 mW from a 1930 mW input. Switching time is 40 ms with channel isolation between the on and off states of 55 dB.