Optical Wavelength-Separation and Time-Response Characteristics of Collinear Acoustooptic Switches for Wavelength-Division-Multiplexing Photonic Switching Systems

Collinear acoustooptic (AO) switches are investigated for use in wavelength-division-multiplexing networks and photonic switching systems. Preliminary experiments of wavelength-selective switching with AO switches consisting of Nb2O5/Ta2O5/proton-exchanged LiNbO3 on LiNbO3 substrates are described. The optical multilayered channel waveguides are formed in a rib structure. The switching characteristics such as extinction ratio and crosstalk are found to strongly depend on the rib height in the branching region. The required conditions of the waveguide parameters are discussed. The wavelength dependence of the switching characteristics is also discussed.