Research On 1×N Optical Switch Based On Array Waveguides And MEMS Mirror

With the rapid development of Internet applications,the ROADM(Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer)technologies for back-bone network sink to metro-network.Thus the demand for ROADM modules increase rapidly.The main approach for ROADM is WSS(Wavelength Selective Switch)+ MCS(Multicast Switch)currently.As the key component in MCS,1×N optical switch has wide applications.Among the variable types of optical switches,1×N optical switch based on MEMS(Microelectromechanical Systems)mirror is characterized by small size and low cost,and thus becomes the main approach.This thesis aims at the port expansion problem in the current solutions and provides a 1×N optical switch based on arrayed waveguides and a MEMS mirror.The main contents of the thesis include,The development of different switches are studies systematically,especially for MEMS optical switches.The problems in the current MEMS optical switches are analyzed.The large fiber core pitch and small mirror rotation angle limit the port number of the optical switch.Based on these analysis,a 1×N optical switch is provided based on arrayed waveguides and a MEMS mirror.The ports of the optical switch are expanded through the hybrid integration of integrated optics and MEMS technologies.The arrayed waveguides are simulated and optimized based on Rsoft software.The waveguide pitch is minimized to reduce the loss of the side ports,while low crosstalk is kept low enough.The optical system is simulated and optimized based on Zemax software.The performances of sphere lens and amorphous lens are compared and the latter is selected.The simulation results show that the coupling efficiency of all ports is >90% and 65% for 1×16 and 1×32 optical switch,respectively.The components and assembly tools for the verification experiment are designed and fabricated.The coupling between fiber array and arrayed waveguides is completed and the optical switch is assembled.The size of the 1×16 optical switch ?6mm×23mm.The maximum loss is 2.48 dB and the crosstalk is <-35 dB.The size of the 1×32 optical switch ?7.6mm×26mm.The loss of the 24 inner ports is <3.07 dB.However,the loss of the side ports rise to 5.57 dB rapidly.The crosstalk of all ports is <-38 dB.