Multi-functional optical switch (optical wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer, add-drop multiplexer and inter-connect device) and its methods of manufacture

• US 6,661,942 B1
• Filed: 07/20/1999
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Government of the United States of America
• Original Assignee: Trans Photonics LLC
• Inventors: Gharavi, Alireza
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mooney, Michael P
• Application Number:
  US09/357,201
• Time in Patent Office: 1,603 Days
• Field of Search: 385/16-23, 385/130, 385/132, 385/143, 385/145, 385/122, 385/4-8, 385/11-14, 385/147, 385/33, 385/116, 385/1-3, 385/10
• US Class Current: 385/16
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12107 Grating
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12007 forming wavelength selective elements, e.g. multiplexer, demultiplexer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/1221 made from organic materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/138 by using polymerisation
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/011 in optical waveguides, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/065 in an optical waveguide structure
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/313 in an optical waveguide structure
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/307 Reflective grating, i.e. Bragg grating
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/585 Add/drop devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 14/0212 using optical switches or wavelength selective switches [WSS]

Abstract

The invention provides a multifunctional optical switch that among other things, optionally can function as an optical wavelength division multiplexer, wavelength division demultiplexer, add-drop multiplexer and/or inter-connect device. The invention further provides novel methods of manufacturing the optical switch. The optical switch can comprise a single layer, and optimally includes of a plurality of layers which each comprise an optical nonlinear second-order polymer. The optical nonlinear second-order polymer present in each layer differs from that present in any other layer in terms of its absorption maximum (i.e., due to possession of different chromophores).

Claims

1. In an optical switch, the improvement comprising the inclusion of a plurality of layers each comprising an optical nonlinear second-order polymer, wherein the optical nonlinear second-order polymer present in each layer differs from that present in any other layer in terms of its absorption maximum.

14. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein said layers are separated from each other by either a grating or a cladding layer.

2. An optical switch comprising:

(a) at least two layers that each comprise an optical waveguide made of an optical nonlinear second-order polymer; and

(b) at least one grating, with the proviso that the optical nonlinear second-order polymer present in each layer differs from that present in any other layer in terms of its absorption maximum.

3. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein said switch is a device selected from the group consisting of an optical wavelength division multiplexer, an optical wavelength division demultiplexer, an optical add/drop multiplexer, and an optical inter-connect device.

4. The optical switch according to claims 2, wherein said switch has the structure

comprising said two layers (n₁ and n₃) that each comprise an optical waveguide, a cladding layer comprised of buffer (n₂), a first grating (280), and a second grating (280) which is flanked by a top electrode (25) and a bottom electrode (35).

5. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein said switch comprises:

(a) two layers that each comprise an optical waveguide made of an optical nonlinear second-order polymer; and

(b) one grating.

6. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein said switch comprises:

(a) two layers that each comprise an optical waveguide made of an optical nonlinear second-order polymer; and

(b) two gratings.

7. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein said switch is active.

8. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein said switch is passive.

9. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein said switch further comprises one or more cladding layers.

10. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein the angle at which said grating transfers optical signals from one waveguide to another can be controlled.

11. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein the intensity of the optical signal which said grating transfers from one waveguide to another can be controlled.

13. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein said layers are stacked.

15. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein said optical nonlinear second-order polymer is a polymer that has the structure

wherein Z is a polymer backbone, S is a spacer attached to Z, and C is an optical nonlinear second-order chromophore attached to S.

16. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein said optical nonlinear second-order polymer is a polymer that has the structure

wherein ranges from about 44 to about 600.

17. The optical swvitch according to claim 2, wherein said optical nonlinear second-order polymer is a polymer doped with a chromophore.

18. A method of transmitting an optical signal in an optical switch according to claim 2, said method comprising switching said signal from one waveguide to another by virtue of changing the refractive index of a said grating through which said signal is transmitted by application of an electric field.

19. A method of transmitting an optical signal, said method comprising use of an optical switch according to claim 2.

20. The optic switch according to claim 15, wherein Z is

wherein ranges from about 44 to about 600.

21. The optic switch according to claim 15, wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of Poly(methyl methacrylate), Polystyrene, Poly(p-hydroxystyrene), Polycarbonate, Polyester, Polyurethane, Poly(phenylene vinylene), Polyquinoline, Polyamide, Polyamic Acid, and Polyimide.

22. The optic switch according to claim 15, wherein S is a carbon chain comprising from 0 to 30 atoms.

23. The optic switch according to claim 15, wherein S is a carbon chain comprising from 2 to 6 atoms.

24. The optic switch according to claim 15, wherein C is selected from the group consisting of sulfone diazo, dialkyl amino nitro azo, and dialkyl amino nitro diazo.

25. The optic switch according to claim 15, wherein C is a chromophore selected from the group of chromophores consisting of

wherein n is 2, 3, or 4,

26. The optic switch according to claim 2, wherein said switch comprises a means for applying an electric field to said grating.

27. The optic switch according to claim 6, wherein said switch comprises a means for applying an electric field to one of said two gratings.

28. The optic switch according to claim 6, wherein said switch comprisesa means for applying an electric field to both of said two gratings.

12. The optical switch according to calim 9, wherein said one or more cladding layers comprise at least one grating.