Summary:

Ohio State researchers have developed a new optical interconnection device that may be useful in routing information for communications systems. Currently, fiber optic systems use electronic switches, requiring downconversion, switching, and upconversion that causes the opto-electronic-optical (OEO) bottleneck.. This invention will process signals at a much greater speed while facilitating easy operation and requiring less space than electronic alternatives. Further, this invention avoids highly complex optical MEMS alignment and continuous feedback typical of other optical switches, making this optical approach far cheaper, smaller, and easier to implement.

Potential Applications:

• Optical routing and switching
• Optical interconnections
• Replacement of electronic switches in fiber-optic backbones

Advantages:

• Compact design
• Simple to setup and operate
• Simple, inexpensive hardware