Broadband 2 × 2 free-space optical switch using electronically controlled liquid lenses

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

To the best of our knowledge, proposed is the first liquid lens technology-based 2 × 2 free-space optical switch using a pair of Electronically Controlled Variable Focus Lenses (ECVFLs). By independently controlling the focal lengths of two cascaded liquid ECVFLs, the two input optical beams are spatially adjusted to couple to their respective output beam ports. At 633-nm, the experimental switch demonstrates 26.3 dB crosstalk, 23.0 dB within-channel isolation, 1.1 dB optical loss, and 0.2 dB Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL). A 0.2 dB Wavelength Dependent Loss (WDL) is measured over 633-nm and 514-nm wavelengths. A 1 × 2 optical-fiber coupled switch version is also tested. The proposed switch can be useful in free-space laser systems as well as fiber-based modules.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1711-1714
Number of pages4
JournalOptics Communications
Volume283
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2010
Externally publishedYes

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