Title: Magneto-Optic Interferometric Switch With Resonator Configuration
Speaker: John Pritchard, ECpE graduate student
Abstract: All-optical resonators are candidates for next-generation, integrated, optical switching devices for communication purposes. Their simplicity in design can allow for easy integration using standard CMOS fabrication processes. Other switch configurations, such as the Mach-Zhender and the Sagnac, have been implemented but are more complicated. Traditionally, optical resonators have been used as optical all-pass filters. However, by including a Faraday rotator in the resonating loop with an actuating field, an all-optical switch can be realized. Optical resonator switches have often been proposed and implemented utilizing the electro-optic effect. This work reveals that magneto-optic equivalents show promise as alternatives. Therefore, a magneto-optical switch of resonator configuration is proposed and implemented with theoretical analysis using the Jones calculus technique.