Power-efficient integrated photonic switch
US11418258B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 2020 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2201/063
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Power consumption in MZI-based integrated photonic switches or filters throughout the operational life can be reduced by reducing fabrication-induced phase misalignment between the unpowered operational mode of the switch or filter and the predominant switch state, and/or by enabling low-power compensation for any such misalignment. In various embodiments, misalignment is reduced by increasing the width of the waveguides implementing the interferometer arms of the MZI, and/or by structuring a region containing the MZI symmetrically to diminish stress-induced misalignment. In some embodiments, phase tuners are used to actively compensate for any phase misalignment, with a tuner drive voltage substantially lower than used to switch to the non-dominant state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.