Abstract

Photonic space switches are key devices for future optical transparent networks [1]. Amongst all InP-based switch arrays, laser-amplifier gate-based ones are widely investigated as they can provide low insertion loss, high extinction ratio and low crosstalk [26], For a long time, difficulty of integration of performant polarisation insensitive amplifiers with low loss passive circuits has hindered development of such devices. We report on a lossless monolithically integrated 2x2 laser amplifier gate switch matrix with, for the first time, integrated input monitoring photodiodes. The fabrication process is very simple and uses only two epitaxial growth steps

© 1996 Optical Society of America