ATM switch with electrically-controlled waveguide-routing

摘要

Optical energy transfer devices and energy guiding devices arranged in an array use an electric field to control energy propagation. The energy transfer devices and guiding devices use a class of poled structures in solid material to realize a high-speed matrix switch, such as is known as an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch used for routing communication signals. The poled structures, which may form gratings or total internal reflection devices, are combined with waveguide structures. Electric fields applied to the poled structures control routing of optical energy.