Abstract

Thermo-optic components are advantageous for fiber management and bypass applications where high switching speeds are not required.¹ We report on packaged and pigtailed single-mode polarization-independent thermo-optic 1×2 switches based on organic polymer waveguides. These switches are digital and require only that the drive signal exceed the switching threshold. Furthermore, the switches are solid state, have no moving parts, exhibit switching times an order of magnitude faster than mechanical switches, and can be operated with a high duty cycle.

© 1995 Optical Society of America