Fibre optic switches are available in multiple options

They are based on electro-optic technology, with no moving parts and organic materials in the light path. They are available 1x1, 1x2, 1x4 and 2x2, in both polarisation-independent and polarisation-maintaining versions, with fast switching in the region of 10ns, and rise/fall times around 8ns up to 3MHz. Switches are vibration insensitive and are reliable to 10^14, says the company.

This high-speed switch family features low loss (<1dB), bi-directional, covering wavelengths from 500nm to 2000nm. They are polarisation insensitive and high extinction versions are available in dual stage configuration. Features also include high optical power handling up to 10W and a wide operating temperature range (-50°C to +90°C).

There are three catagories: “ultra-fast” (<5ns rise/fall, up to 1MHz repetition) or (4ns rise, up to 1Mhz repetition), “premium” (<50ns rise/fall, up to 1MHz repetition) and “standard” (<100ns rise/fall, up to 500kHz repetition). 

The high-speed switch family range includes a polarisation switch (fast and reliable), optical shutter 1 x 1 (high extinction), multimode fibre switch 1 x 2 and a 90 deg polarisation switch which dynamically controls the optical phase of the transmitting light. There is also a switchable fibre optic splitter/coupler (100ns rise/fall). The switchable fibre optical splitter, in 1x2 format, splits an incoming optical signal into two output optical fibres with the capability of switching between two splitting ratios.

Switch drivers are available to match the high-speed family of switches. These are a high-speed, high repetition, high output voltage and push-pull output design, to ensure fast switching times for rise and fall edges. They are designed to drive a capacitive load which makes them suitable to drive the electro-optical switches. They have low power consumption and TTL/CMOS control.