An 8×8 Broadcast-and-Select Optical Switch Based on Monolithically Integrated EAM-Gate Array

A compact, low-power 8×8 broadcast-and-select optical switch is developed based on a high-speed EAM-gate array supporting a wide flat wavelength band. The switch is free from optical/electrical crosstalk and undesirable nonlinear effects observed in SOA-based switches. Error-free switching is demonstrated for 25-Gbps burst-mode optical packets.