Development of a 2x2 optical switch for plastic optical fiber using liquid crystal cells

Carmen Vazquez; J. M. Sanchez-Pena; Pedro Contreras; M. A. J. Pontes

doi:10.1117/12.608389

7 July 2005 Development of a 2x2 optical switch for plastic optical fiber using liquid crystal cells

Carmen Vazquez, J. M. Sanchez-Pena, Pedro Contreras, M. A. J. Pontes

Proceedings Volume 5840, Photonic Materials, Devices, and Applications; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.608389
Event: Microtechnologies for the New Millennium 2005, 2005, Sevilla, Spain

Abstract

A 2x2 optical switch for plastic optical fibre (POF) has been developed, able to work for both 660 and 850nm simultaneous and independently of the input light's polarization, improving previous developments. The device has four bidirectional optical ports, and is able to switch from each port to any other. In this way, there are three operation modes: straight (each input connected to the corresponding output), crossed (inputs and outputs crosses) and closed (inputs connected on the one part, and output connected on the other part). As the device is bidirectional, inputs and outputs are interchangeable. The switching process is carried out by a set of Polarized Beam Splitters, Liquid Crystal cells, λ/4 plates, lens and mirrors. An electronic circuitry has been developed to control the state of the optical switch, which is shown in a Liquid Crystal Display. The system has been tested for both 660nm and 850nm, and the optical switch exhibits miliseconds switching times, an optical interchannel crosstalk better than -25 dB, and low power consumption. Applications of the switch include systems where a redundant path is needed to guarantee communication, such as safety systems in automobiles, LANs, telemedicine, heavy machinery in the industry along with coarse WDM GI (graded index) POF networks. Device size reduction is under development.

Citation Download Citation

Carmen Vazquez, J. M. Sanchez-Pena, Pedro Contreras, and M. A. J. Pontes "Development of a 2x2 optical switch for plastic optical fiber using liquid crystal cells", Proc. SPIE 5840, Photonic Materials, Devices, and Applications, (7 July 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.608389

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