Core Switch Using Optically Induced Long-Period Gratings

Abstract

We propose and theoretically demonstrate an optically induced long-period gratings (OLPGs) based core switching technique for multi-core fibers (MCFs). This switching technique is fully reconfigurable in terms of signal wavelength and input–output fiber cores. The switching window and its efficiency can be adjusted by changing the peak power and the shape of the pump pulses, respectively. Switching efficiencies of 76% were found. Furthermore, we also show that the switched signal can be reshaped by tuning the shape of the pump pulses.