Wavelength- and polarization-independent large angle InP/lnGaAsP digital optical switches with extinction ratios exceeding 20 dB

Record polarization-independent extinction ratios are reported for ridge waveguide digital optical switches in InP/InGaAsP. Wavelength insensitivity is demonstrated for the first time, with extinction ratios that exceed 20 dB at both 1.3 and 1.5 μm for the same switch. The switch's total opening angle of 0.5/spl deg/ is more than a factor of two larger than other digital optical switches demonstrated at any wavelength.