Network Application of Piezo-Crystals

High performance fiberoptic switches are in critical demand for use in the ever-growing communication networks and modern defense systems. Fiberoptic switch is the key component to enable much simplified and higher performance Active Optical Networks,where optical signals/channels are dynamically switched, routed, reconfigured, multiplexed, protected and restored all in the optical layer, eliminating the current very expensive optical-to-electronic-to-optical conversions. Current fiberoptic switchesdo not simultaneously meet the requirements of high speed, low loss, high extinction ratio, and high reliability. The recent progress in single crystals of relaxor that exhibit extraordinary properties opened an unprecedented opportunity to realizestate-of-the-art optical switch. Our unique design overcomes all the major drawbacks of competitive technologies. Such a device will drastically reduces network complexity leading to lower cost and high reliability. For defense applications, this switchis also a key enabling element for ultra-wideband optical signal processing applications, including programmable single mode fiber-optic switched delay lines, optical transversal filters for wideband true-time-delay elements, and optical filters formicrowave electronic surveillance and radar phased-array antenna beam forming. The development of this advanced state-of-the-art switch will greatly increase the feasibility of these systems applications. A prototype switch will be demonstrated in thePhase I.Telecommunication is currently the fastest growing industry. The anticipated commercial communication switching market is very large with forecasted reaching billion dollars by year 2006