Low-polarization-sensitivity high-speed optical switch on the 220-nm silicon-on-insulator platform
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: To ensure high-fidelity signal switching, the optical switches should handle incoming signals with random polarizations. In this paper, we demonstrate a 2 × 2 low-polarization-sensitivity high-speed Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) optical switch on the 220-nm-thick silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform using a standard multi-project wafer (MPW) process. The optical switch incorporates two polarization-insensitive 3-dB splitters based on quasi-adiabatic coupling, along with two polarization-insensitive high-speed phase shifters based on PIN-diode actuated ridge waveguides. The fabricated optical switch features an insertion loss of 0.92/2.79 dB and a switching speed of 52.2/55.0 ns for TE 0 /TM 0 mode at the 1550 nm wavelength. The optical switch, with its high speed and CMOS compatibility, can be further optimized and scaled to accommodate the demands of large-scale, high-speed, polarization-insensitive, and high-fidelity switching for supporting AI applications.
Source: Optics Express
DOI: 10.1364/oe.579643
Authors: Wei Gao, Jinwei Su, Yu Zhou, Liangjun Lu, Yanyang Zhou, Wansu Bao, Jianping Chen, Linjie Zhou
Language: English
Topic: Photonic and Optical Devices
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,270
Awards: G5206156266, G5557815230, G8748721382
OpenAlex ID: W4417163074