Fiber-connectorized multiwavelength 2×2 switch structure using a fiber loop mirror

A fiber-connectorized multiwavelength 2×2 switch structure is introduced for the first time that deploys a fiber loop mirror (FLM) arrangement with polarization control. Switch operation is achieved via a programmable waveplate effect rather than an optical power consuming long fiber loop length non-linear optical effect. The results from an experimental four-wavelength (i.e., 1546.92 nm, 1548.52 nm, 1550.12 nm, and 1551.72 nm) proof of concept switch using two mechanical fiber-based polarization controllers embedded in a short 7 m fiber loop indicates an average optical coherent crosstalk of -31.2 dB. Presently, optical loss is mainly limited by the WDM devices used in our experimental setup. Hence, without the WDM multiplexers, an average optical loss of 2.22 dB is measured over a 50 nm optical bandwidth. Also, an average 0.08 dB polarization dependent loss is measured for this broadband switch.