Core Selective Switch With Low Insertion Loss Over Ultra-Wide Wavelength Range for Spatial Channel Networks

The core selective switch (CSS) is an optical spatial that has been recently proposed as a key building block to achieve scalable and low-insertion-loss cross-connects for use in future channel networks. In this paper, we report on novel CSS design employing two dimensionally arranged microlens-based multicore fiber (MCF) collimator array micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror array. former enables precise alignment between MCFs lenses, the latter yields polarization-independent high reflection over wide wavelength range large tilt angle. Based design, compact (∼50 mm) five-core $1 \times 8$ prototype fabricated. We experimentally show exhibits low insertion loss (1.2∼2.7 dB), polarization dependent (< 0.25 crosstalk notation="LaTeX">$ - 30$ dB) characteristics ultra-wide from 1500 nm 1630 nm. Bit-error-rate measurements using signals C-band, S-band, L-band incurs no signal-to-noise ratio penalty routing band.