Link analysis of a deformable mirror device based optical crossbar switch

An optical crossbar switch is proposed that uses a semiconductor-addressed, deformable-mirror spatial light modulator to direct gigabit-per-second optical transmissions to several receivers. The switch performance is described in terms of size, number, and deflection range of micromechanical mirror elements, as well as emitter, detector, and lens dimensions. These parameters are incorporated in a link energy budget and estimates of system dimensions. Maximum-sized 128- to 1000-channel crossbars appear feasible based on current and projected performance limits of various lightwave components.