Polyimide-waveguide-based thermal optical switch using total-internal-reflection effect

A total-internal-reflection waveguide switch with an X junction was designed and fabricated by using the thermo-optic effect of polyimide materials. Experimental results show that the crosstalk is below −28 dB at the wavelength of 1.55 μm. The switching power with the current electrode is 132 mW, which can be reduced to 20–30 mW with an optimized design together with electroplating to form a thick conducting path.