POLYMERIC THERMOOPTICAL SPACE SWITCHES FOR OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS

Solid state optical space snitches based on the thermo-optic (t.o.) ef fect in polymeric optical waveguides have now reached the commercial s tage. The application of these switches is in network protection and n etwork reconfiguration functions for fiber optic communications system s. The requirements for these applications include polarization and wa velength independence, low insertion loss, low cross talk, low drive p ower with step-like (digital) response, millisecond switching times an d small size, In addition the reliability of the component must meet t he demanding requirements of telecom applications. It will be shown th at polymeric t.o. space switches can meet all functional requirements due to the exceptional thermal and t.o. effects of polymers combined w ith their tunability and processing versatility. Furthermore. it will be shown that polymer optical chips components can withstand extreme l ifetime tests with success. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.