Hitless Wavelength Selective Switch Using Vertically Coupled Microring Resonator Manipulated by Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems Structure

Perfect hitless wavelength selective switching was demonstrated using a microring resonator. The coupling efficiency between the busline and microring was manipulated by the micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) structure to eliminte the through port loss in the OFF state. The measured results of extinction ratio at the drop and through ports were 23 and 5dB, respectively, for TE polarization at the applied voltage of 45 V. The switching loss at the through port in the OFF state was nearly 0 dB. The resonant wavelength was shifted by 0.28 nm in the OFF state and after the wavelength shift, the resonator was switched on by applying the voltage of 45 V to the MEMS structure. (C) 2009 The Japan Society of Applied Physics