Integrated multichannel optical wavelength selective switches incorporating an arrayed-waveguide grating multiplexer and thermooptic switches

A multichannel optical wavelength selective switch is investigated, which can switch signals at arbitrary wavelengths between multichannel's in wavelength division multiplexing systems. It is based on the combination of an arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexer and an array of optical space-division switches, A monolithically integrated 2 x 2 optical wavelength selective switch is successfully fabricated for four multiplexed signals in the 1.55 mu m wavelength region. Here, an AWG and four 2 x 2 thermooptic switches are laid out on a 30 x 60 mm(2) chip. Wavelength selective switching operations for four wavelength signals between two lines are demonstrated in a time slot of 40 ms with a switching speed of 1 ms.