High-speed two-mode switch for mode-division multiplexing optical networks

Mode-division multiplexing technology using the high-order modes of multimode waveguides enables high-bandwidth data transmission. High-speed mode channel switching is a pivotal function for these optical networks. Here, we propose a modal switching scheme on a silicon-on-insulator platform and demonstrate a high-speed two-mode switch that exploits a Y-junction and multimode interference structure. The design allows for simultaneous switching of two optical modes. A PN-doped junction-based phase shifter in one branch of a Y-junction enables dynamic switching in 2.5 ns. The measured switching extinction ratio is 12.5 dB or better with an open eye diagram for a 10 Gb/s on–off key optical payload signal. The optical power penalty is within 0.5 dB for the two-mode switching at a bit error rate of 10−9. This two-mode switch could enable on-chip mode-based switching network topology for greater aggregated throughput capacity.