Optimization of 2×2 MZI electro-optic switch and its application as logic gate

Electro-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) switches are well known devices in optical systems for their high speed of operation. In next generation optical network, such switches have wide applications due to their high switching capability and great reliability. In this paper we have investigated the enhanced performance of an electro-optic switch made by titanium diffused lithium niobate (Ti:LiNbO₃) functioned as waveguide medium based on integrated Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) at 1.55 μm wavelength. The performance of the switch is optimized for low switching voltage, low insertion loss, high extinction ratio. This is done by varying the strip thickness of titanium, interferometer arm length, arm gap, waveguide width, gap in the coupling region of the 3 dB couplers, and center position of second electrode deposited on integrated Mach-zehnder Interferometer arm with respect to the original axis of the switch. The designed switch gives lowest insertion loss of 0.00881dB and highest extinction ratio of 33.581 dB at 8.8 V.