Six-stage digital free-space optical switching network using symmetric self-electro-optic-effect devices.

We describe the design and demonstration of an extended generalized shuffle interconnection network, centrally controlled by a personal computer. A banyan interconnection pattern is implemented by use of computer-generated Fourier holograms and custom metallization at each 32 × 32 switching node array. Each array of electrically controlled tristate symmetric self-electro-optic-effect devices has 10,240 optical pinouts and 32 electrical pinouts, and the six-stage system occupies a 9 in. × 12.5 in. (22.9 cm × 31.7 cm) area. Details of the architecture, optical and mechanical design, and system alignment and tolerancing are presented.