Abstract: A non-blocking N×M cross-connect optical switching device, system, and method having any number of inputs (N) and any number of outputs (M) is disclosed. In an embodiment of the invention, low power loss waveguides and low power loss electro-optical material switching elements are combined into a compact planar device. Depending on the direction of the electric field applied, the refractive index of a switching element is varied to alternate between a transmission state when the refractive indexes of the waveguides and electro-optical material are substantially equal and a reflective state when the refractive indexes are not equal. The transmission state allows input light to pass through a switching element to an output port. The reflective state does not allow light to pass through, thereby directing incident light to an alternative output port. Other embodiments comprising thermal optical materials as switching element are also described.

Abstract: Devices and methods for control of reflection and transmission of an optical wave by selective adjustment of the refractive index of a material through use of an applied electric field. In some devices, an electric field vector E is distributed in the material, where the material interfaces two optical waveguides. Since the refractive index n(E) of the material depends on the magnitude and direction of E, the electric field E can be varied to control n(E), relative to the refractive index of the interfaced waveguides, so as to make the material totally transmitting, totally reflecting, or partially reflecting of light that passes through one of the interfacing waveguides and is incident upon the material. Adjusting n(E) in such a material can also be used for selection of optical wavelengths by diffraction, wavelength selection of optical waves transmitted through mirror electrodes, and deflection of plane waves.