Abstract
We propose a mode switch that operates on modulating the optical phases of a three-dimensional balanced four-arm waveguide Mach–Zehnder interferometer. We design and fabricate the device with polymer material to achieve thermo-optic switching between any two of the E11, E21, E12, and E22modes of the waveguide. Our experimental device shows an extinction ratio higher than 14 dB and a switching time shorter than 3.7 ms, measured with the E11mode switched to any of the other modes at 1550 nm. This mode switch can operate over a wide range of wavelengths with weak polarization dependence and could be used in reconfigurable fiber-based mode-division-multiplexing systems where mode routing is required.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 4877-4880 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Optics Letters |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 23 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics