Novel integrated optical router for microphotonic switching

In this paper, a novel integrated optical beam router for microphotonic switching is presented. The router uses a piecewise linear optic that steers and couples optical collimated beams to optical fibre ports with minimum loss and excellent tolerance to fluctuations in design parameters. Experimental results show that for a 1/spl times/2 MicroPhotonic switch, fibre-to-fibre optical coupling loss less than 1.05 dB and insertion loss uniformity better than 0.2 dB can be achieved, and the measured loss penalty for changes /spl plusmn/0.5 mm in component position is negligible.