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Design of a 1 × 2 novel optical switch based on polarization converters and splitters

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Abstract

In this paper, a 1 × 2 optical switch based on two TE/TM polarization converters, one 1 × 2-polarization beam splitter and a hybrid 2 × 2-polarization beam splitter/combiner is designed and discussed. The novelty of this work resides in the design of a 2 × 2-hybrid polarization beam combiner/splitter, operating as a 2 × 2 polarization optical switch through the combining and the splitting of polarized signals issued from two TE/TM polarization controllers. The novel hybrid splitter/combiner can route an optical signal either to a bar or a cross port with an extinction ratio higher than 90 dB, thanks to the feature of polarization splitting used in this device to suppress undesired polarization states and minimize the polarization-dependent loss. We have used polarization beam converters to switch between two orthogonal modes in order to facilitate the routing of these signals through the 2 × 2-hybrid polarization splitter/combiner. We changed the polarization states of signals, in our simulation via OptiSystem, through polarization controllers, by modifying only their phase shifts between 0 rad and π rad. The proposed 1 × 2 optical switch presents an average insertion loss of 3.5 dB.

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Acknowledgements

This work is funded by the General Direction for Scientific Research and Technological Development (GDSRTD Algeria), under the project title “Conception and Realization of a 2 × 1 Multiplexer/Demultiplexer and a 1 × 2 Optical Switch based on Polarization Beam Splitters/Combiners and Converters” and the project code 23/Univ-Tlemcen/DGRSDT. This work is funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, under the project title “Development of Precision Seismic Deformation Sensor Based on Fiber Bragg Grating” and the project code 41374182. This work is funded by the Key Project of Beijing Natural Science Foundation, under the project title “Design and Development of High Sensitivity Fiber Bragg Grating Temperature Sensor” and the project code 3151003. This work is funded by the Key Project of public welfare industry from Institute of Crustal Dynamics, China Earthquake Administration, under the project title “Research into Earthquake Precursor Observation Technology and New Sensor” and the project code ZDJ2017-25. This work is funded by the Key Project of public welfare industry from Institute of Crustal Dynamics, China Earthquake Administration, under the project title “New Technology and Demonstration Application of Intelligent Precision Monitoring and Early Warning for Geological Disasters” and the project code ZDJ2018-23.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Institute of Crustal Dynamics, CEA, Beijing, 100085, China

    Liu Aichun

  2. Key Laboratory of Crustal Dynamics, CEA, Beijing, 100085, China

    Liu Aichun

  3. Beijing Engineering Research Center of Earthquake Observation, Beijing, 100085, China

    Liu Aichun

  4. Laboratory of Telecommunications, Faculty of Technology, Aboubekr Belkaid University, 13000, Tlemcen, Algeria

    Fethallah Karim

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  1. Liu Aichun
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  2. Fethallah Karim
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Correspondence to Fethallah Karim.

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Aichun, L., Karim, F. Design of a 1 × 2 novel optical switch based on polarization converters and splitters. Photon Netw Commun 40, 114–121 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11107-020-00904-w

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