Switching in multicore fibers using flexural acoustic waves.

Abstract

We propose an in-line wavelength selective core switch for multicore fiber (MCF) transmission systems, based on the acousto-optic effect. A theoretical model addressing the interaction between flexural acoustic waves and the optical signal in MCFs is developed. We show that an optical signal propagating in a particular core can be switched to any other core or distributed over all the cores. By tuning the acoustic wave amplitude, we can adjust the amount of optical power transferred between the cores.