Thermo-optic switch based on transmission-dip shifting in a double-slot photonic crystal waveguide

Abstract

Optical switch based on an ultra-compact double-slot photonic crystal waveguide (DS-PCWG) with a titanium/aluminum microheater is demonstrated. The operating principle relies on shifting a transmission-dip caused by the defect mode coupling in photonic band gap (PBG). Based on the unique mode coupling in PBG, low switching power of 9.2 mW and high extinction ratio of 17 dB are achieved experimentally while the length of DS-PCWG is only 16 μm.