Singlemode optical switches based on SOI waveguideswith large cross-section

Abstract

The realisation of a thermo-optical Mach-Zehnder interferometer switch based on SOI (silicon-on-insulator) material is reported. At a wavelength of 1.3 µm, on-off ratios of 13 dB (TE) aud 9 dB (TM) are achieved with a switching power of 150 mW. The measured rise time is 5 µs.