Polymer thermo-optic switching matrix for space routing in transparent optical frequency division multiplex (OFDM) networks

In this paper, the fabrication and characterization of polymeric thermo-optic (T/O) single switching elements and (4 X 4)-switching matrices are described. The first loop experiment with cascaded transparent OFDM crossconnects including a polymeric (4 X 4)-switching matrix is reported. In order to reduce insertion loss, power consumption and crosstalk, the optimization strategy for the polymeric T/O switches is discussed.