Optical switch with multiplexed data and control signals separated by group velocity dispersion

摘要

High quality epitaxial layers of monocrystalline materials can be grown overlying a monocrystalline substrate of a semiconductor structure by forming a compliant substrate for growing the monocrystalline layers. An accommodating buffer layer comprises a layer of monocrystalline oxide spaced apart from a silicon wafer by an amorphous interface layer of silicon oxide. The amorphous interface layer dissipates strain and permits the growth of a high quality monocrystalline oxide accommodating buffer layer. An optical waveguide is formed in a monocrystalline layer grown on the semiconductor structure for distributing an optical signal to a selected portion of circuitry formed in the semiconductor structure. An optical source is formed in the semiconductor structure and coupled to the optical waveguide for generating a control signal and a data signal concurrently. The control signal propagates through the optical waveguide faster than the data signal to create a delay between the control signal and the data signal. An optical switch receives the control signal and switches the delayed data signal to a selected portion of circuitry formed in the semiconductor structure in response to the control signal.