Abstract
The existing photonic switch matrices usually show the drawbacks of either a large footprint or high cross talk. Here, we propose a compact InGaAsP/InP rearrangeable nonblocking photonic switch fabric based on Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) switch elements in a Benes architecture. Each switch element consists of two frustrated total internal reflection (TIR) couplers and TIR mirrors serving as 90° waveguide bends, forming the square layout configuration of the MZI switches. We investigate the design parameters of the switch element and photonic switch matrix by using FDTD and transfer matrix methods, respectively. Our analysis results show that the proposed device exhibits an ultracompact chip size of , the minimum cross talk of in the wavelength range, the total insertion loss of , the low electrical energy of , and an operation speed up to 50 GHz. Experimentally, we can demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating MZI switches and an operational low-loss trench-coupler. The enabling component of the MZI switch can scale its pattern in the 2D directions. This as-formed compact switch fabric can be potentially applied in large-scale InP-based photonic integrated circuits.
© 2018 Optical Society of America
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