Abstract

2 × 2 bypass/exchange switches are useful elements for multistage interconnection networks. We present an alternative design for a 2 × 2 bypass/exchange switch using the properties of volume holograms. The switch is a sandwich structure containing a volume hologram placed between two right angle prisms. The hologram is recorded with the Bragg angle equal to 45°. According to the coupled wave equations developed by Kogelnik, this hologram has the following properties. If the incident light is polarized parallel to the plane of incidence, the light passes through the hologram without any diffraction due to the polarization selectivity of volume phase gratings. If the incident light is polarized perpendicular to the plane of incidence, the light is diffracted. By properly controlling the polarization of the incident light, these characteristics can be used to make a bypass/exchange switch.

© 1991 Optical Society of America