Lossless 1 x 2 optical switch monolithically integrated on a passive active resonant coupler (PARC) platform

Abstract

We demonstrate a lossless 1/spl times/2 optical switch utilizing resonant vertical coupling between an active and a passive waveguide. Optical power is coupled into the passive waveguide and split into two ports using a 3-dB Y-junction splitter. The mode is then coupled up to a 1-mm-long active waveguide where gain is provided. A 100-/spl mu/m-long taper is utilized in each arm for coupling the mode from the passive to the active waveguide. Internal gain greater than 22 dB is obtained in each arm of the integrated splitter. High yield and good uniformity of devices are obtained over multiple processing runs.