High-Speed, High Endurance Mine Warfare Craft Design

Not Available High performance fiberoptic switches are in great demand for use in the information super-highway and modern defense systems. Current fiberoptic switches do not simultaneously meet the requirements of high speed, low loss, high extinction ratio, and high reliability. Based on the successful development of a state-of-the-art high speed and highly stable 1x1 switch, NZ Applied Technologies proposes to fabricate a novel solid-state 2x2 switch, based upon ceramic materials with large electro-optic effect and an innovative device architecture. This fiberoptic switch has leading edge performance attributes which include electro-optic high speed operation, polarization insensitivity and low insertion loss fiberoptic loss, as well as ceramic ruggedness for high optical power handling and long term stability. The design eliminates the need for mechanical movement, organic materials, and waveguides which introduce intrinsic drawbacks. Moreover, the design is simple, compact, and cost effective. It is anticipated that state-of-the-art performance in several key specifications can be achieved through this program. These include high data rate, low optical insertion loss, wide temperature range, high optical power handling, high stability, and cost effectiveness. Prototype optoceramic 2x2 switches will be fabricated to demonstrate functionality in Phase I.