A novel MMI–MZ all-optical switch

This paper presents a novel all-optical switch based on multi-mode interference (MMI) and Mach–Zehnder (MZ) using self-imaging principle and optical Kerr effect of organic polymer material. A branch waveguide is inserted into one of Mach–Zehnder interferometer arms, where the controlling beam is introduced. The device with a core of azo polymer is simulated by the beam propagation method (BPM). The result shows that, the bent branch waveguide of 2 μm width is inserted in MZ interferometer arm at 100 μm has the minimal impact on the original waveguide. And a good light switching function is achieved via controlling light intensity of 4 mW.