Photonic Liquid Crystal Elements
Summary:
With the assistance of BMDO Phase II funding, SpectraSwitch, Inc. (Santa Rosa, CA), has developed liquid-crystal-based ''active passive'' photonic components that will speed switching and streamline other signal processing functions of fiber optic telecommunications. The company will ship its first product, a member of the WaveWalkerTM family of optical switches, by the end of 2000. These switches will decrease switching time from the current standard 10 to 15 milliseconds to less than 4 milliseconds and offer increased reliability over current models.
Technology Description:
SpectraSwitch, Inc. (Santa Rosa, CA), has developed a liquid-crystal-based photonic element that will speed switching and streamline other signal processing functions of fiber optic telecommunications.
SpectraSwitch's patented (pending) technology is based on liquid crystals, coupling the phenomenon of liquid crystal birefringence, evanescence, and total internal reflection to the mechanisms required to control light. Because these components route light without first translating the optical signal to an electrical format, they possess greater reliability, higher switching speeds, and lower power consumption than current devices.
MDA Origins:
SpectraSwitch's liquid crystal technology was funded in part by a BMDO SBIR Phase II contract for use in such applications as optical taps, couplers, and splitters; wavelength division multiplexers (WDMs); optical switches and arrays; and filters. Anticipated benefits were low cost, low power, and high reliability.
Spinoff Applications:
The most immediate market for liquid crystal elements is optical telecommunications. In particular, this industry is seeking next-generation photonic switches to increase the efficiency of expensive fiber optic lines.
There are many advantages to using liquid-crystal photonic switches. Whereas current fiber optic switches require optical-to-electrical conversion and/or mechanically steered mirrors, liquid crystal switches are all-optical, which means they can switch signals between routes faster. SpectraSwitch's WaveWalkerTM switches (prototypes of which are now being tested) will have a 4-millisecond switching rate, a much sought-after improvement over the 10- to 15-millisecond average now available. Moreover, since there are no moving parts and the materials can withstand harsh and rugged environments, liquid crystal switches are expected to have a 30-year mean time between failure, an improvement over the 20- to 25-year standard for optomechanical switches. When coupled with an optical amplifier, liquid crystals can operate in either digital or analog mode, i.e., they can transmit light in discrete on/off bursts or transmit partial light in an attenuator-like fashion.
This same liquid crystal element can also be used in fiber optic devices where control of light is involved. Such devices might include couplers, attenuators, and WDM devices.
Commercialization:
SpectraSwitch's first product line will include low-port-count photonic switches used in single-mode transport fiber (''low-port-count'' means that there are a limited number of output lines per switch). SpectraSwitch is planning to ship WaveWalker switches in 1´2, 1´4, 1´N, and N´N configurations. These switches will be priced competitively with optomechanical switches, now in widespread use, but will offer the marked performance gains mentioned above. Manufacturing facilities exist in Santa Rosa, California. SpectraSwitch has secured second-round venture capital funding and has provided evaluation models to the major telecommunications equipment vendors.
The company plans to develop its WaveWalker line of switches to include more multifunctionality, including attenuation, wavelength routing, protection, and variable-coupler functions, thus eliminating the need for separate fiber-optic components. The company also plans to develop attenuators and WDM devices from this technology.
Company Profile:
SpectraSwitch is based in Santa Rosa, California. Founded in 1996, the company plans to become a leading photonic component manufacturer. As of May 2000, the company employs 50 people and is aggressively recruiting key personnel, including engineers (testing, manufacturing, and fiber optic) and program managers.
Contact Information:
SpectraSwitch, Inc.
Santa Rosa CA 95405
Tel:707-568-7000
Fax:707-568-2792
email: info@spectraswitch.com
web: http://www.spectraswitch.com
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