Fast mode-switching (60 ns) by using a 2 × 2 silicon optical mode switch

We present dynamic mode switching characteristic by using a 2 × 2 optical mode switch based on silicon waveguide. The configuration of optical mode switch is similar to MZI where the width of input and output ports are designed to permit the combining of the fundamental mode and the first order mode. We designed the symmetrical arms with phase shifter based on p-i-n structure in one arm to generate a π-phase difference between each arm. As a result, mode switching with the injection current of 60 mA (5.7 V) was successfully achieved with the mode crosstalk of −10 dB at λ = 1550 nm. A minimum of less than 60 ns and 40 ns mode switching time for the fundamental mode to first order mode and first order mode to fundamental mode, was achieved respectively in this time.