EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF A DIGITAL FREE-SPACE PHOTONIC SWITCH THAT USES EXCITON ABSORPTION REFLECTION SWITCH ARRAYS

We present a digital free-space photonic switch structure that uses ex citon absorption reflection switch (EARS) arrays. The network topology of the switch is a banyan network. This switch structure uses microbe am interconnections to realize a compact switch fabric. The low-loss i nterconnection that is necessary for high-speed operation can be achie ved by the use of an optical system based on birefringent plates. A pr ototype switch (based on an 8 x 8 EARS array) with fiber array pigtail s is fabricated and used to demonstrate two-input, two-output switchin g of 8-Mbits/s signals. This digital switch may be applicable to large -scale, multistage switching networks for optical interconnections and broadband telecommunication switching systems.