Lossless optical packet multicast using active vertical coupler based optical crosspoint switch matrix

This paper investigates a novel optical multicast scheme without excess optical splitting loss to be realized using an active vertical coupler (AVC)-based optical switch matrix, due to the optical gain available in the AVC switch cells. Theoretical analysis and computer simulation have been carried out regarding the operational principle and switching characteristics of this scheme. Computer simulation further suggests that the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE)-limited scalability of the scheme can be as high as more than 40. Experiments using an existing 4 × 4 switch-matrix device successfully demonstrated the predicted multicast switching operation. Measured switching characteristics and the optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) values are in good agreement with simulation predictions. High switched-signal Q-factor values of 1-to-2 and 1-to-3 multicasting configurations indicate that the scale of the multicasting scheme can be further increased significantly.