Optical Switching via Refractive Index Modulation for Low-Loss OCS and OPS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical switch devices face challenges in supporting both optical circuit switching (OCS) and optical packet switching (OPS) methods efficiently, particularly in achieving low loss and high-speed operation with a smaller number of ports, as existing technologies struggle with high connection loss and increased propagation loss due to strong optical confinement and carrier absorption.
Innovation Solution
The development of a high-speed optical switch device with a distribution selective optical switch and MZI-type optical switch configurations, utilizing materials like InP-based waveguides with refractive index changes via the Franz-Keldysh effect and QCSE, and incorporating circulators to manage optical signals, allowing for efficient switching of both OCS and OPS signals with reduced crosstalk and loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional optical switch devices use strong optical confinement and carrier injection for high-speed switching, then switching speed is improved, but connection loss and propagation loss increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the optical waveguide by controlling the carrier concentration and distribution in the semiconductor layer. By adjusting the carrier injection level and using multiple quantum well structures, the refractive index and absorption coefficient are dynamically modified to achieve low-loss high-speed switching without excessive optical confinement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite semiconductor structures including multiple quantum well (MQW) layers with different bandgap energies, p-type and n-type doped regions, and undoped intrinsic layers. This composite material design allows simultaneous optimization of optical confinement, carrier control, and low absorption loss in different spatial regions
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical switch devices increase the number of ports to support both OCS and OPS methods, then versatility is improved, but device complexity and propagation loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal optical switch device with input and output ports that can handle both circuit-switched and packet-switched optical signals through the same semiconductor switching element. The device achieves multi-functionality by using controllable carrier distribution to adapt its switching behavior to different signal types without requiring separate dedicated ports for OCS and OPS
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the semiconductor switching element into multiple functional regions including input waveguide regions, output waveguide regions, and intermediate switching regions with controlled carrier concentrations. This segmentation allows the single device to perform multiple switching functions for different signal types while maintaining a compact port structure
3Productivity
If optical switch devices use conventional semiconductor waveguides with strong optical confinement, then switching efficiency is improved, but absorption loss due to carrier injection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by creating regions with different carrier concentrations and material compositions within the semiconductor waveguide. The MQW structures have varying bandgap energies in different regions, allowing strong optical interaction in switching regions while maintaining low absorption in transmission regions, thus achieving high switching efficiency with minimal absorption loss
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables low-loss, high-speed switching of OCS and OPS signals with a reduced number of ports, improving network efficiency by minimizing connection loss and maintaining signal quality, while optimizing port configuration for both OCS and OPS operations.
Implementation Method 1
the optical switch having an optical waveguide structure made of a material whose refractive index or absorption coefficient changes on the order of nanoseconds, and the optical switch changing the refractive index or the absorption coefficient to perform switching
Implementation Method 2
utilizing materials like InP-based waveguides with refractive index changes via the Franz-Keldysh effect
Implementation Method 3
the refractive index of the optical switch waveguide below the p-type electrode 1 is changed by the quantum confined stark effect (QCSE) due to a multiple quantum well (MQW) structure
Data Source
AI summary
A low-loss optical switch device with a smaller number of ports for an optical switch in a network and node device capable of transmitting OCS-type and OPS-type optical signals is provided. The optical switch device includes: a high-speed add/drop optical switch composed of a plurality of optical switches, the optical switch having an optical waveguide structure made of a material whose refractive index or absorption coefficient changes on the order of nanoseconds, and the optical switch changing the refractive index or the absorption coefficient to perform switching of both OCS optical signals, which are optical-circuit-switching-type optical signals, and OPS optical signals, which are optical-packet-switching-type optical signals; and a plurality of circulators connected to an input port and an output port of the high-speed add/drop optical switch.