All-Fiber High-Speed Highly-Wavelength-Selective Switch for Wavelength-Division- Multiplexed Self-Routed Photonic Networks

Intelligent Fiber Optics Systems (IFOS) proposes a new approach for development of a light-weight, compact, in-line, all-fiber tunable optical filter (TOF) as a wavelength-selective switch with low-voltage, high-resolution and ultra-high-speed tunability for wavelength demultiplexing and optical spectral selection. The integrated structure is based on an IFOS proprietary combination of simply implemented potentially low-cost technologies: (1) Side-Removed Fibers (SRF), (2) Active Optical Polymer (AOP) Overlays, (3) Single-Mode Fibers (SMFs) and Dual-Mode Fibers (DMFs), and (4) Intra-Core Fiber Gratings (ICFGs). The SRF/AOP and SMF/AOP/DMF combinations form asymmetric couplers whose transmission can be made particularly wavelength selective via judicious parameter choices. This feature is enhanced by ICFGs. Tuning is via the AOP nonlinearity. Phase I objectives are to: (1) make use of IFO's extensive lightguide modeling and analysis capabilities to design an electro-optically tunable fiber-optic filter to satisfy the requirements and predict its performance, (2) implement a feasibility prototype demonstrating the effect of parameter choice on wavelength response and tunability, and (3) characterize the TOF behavior (tuning speed, tuning range, resolution, insertion loss) with consideration of the end-user requirements. First generation IFOS TOFs will allow optical network signal selection/routing with minimal local optical power. All-optical versions will enable self-routing.