LiNb0 3 acousto optic tunable switches (AOTS) and filters (AOTF) are attractive components in reconfigurable WDM networks. Their small bandwidth ( < 1.5 nm), low insertion loss « 5 dB), large tuning range (1.5 -1.6 /lm), high side lobe suppression and extinction ratios (> 20 dB) together with their unique multiwavelength functionality implies application for example as Add-Drop multiplexers, channel analysers, gain equalisers and reconfigurable tunable optic crossconnects. We demonstrate that AOTS in multi-wavelength operation are completely transparent for bit-rates up to at least 10 Gbitls, which permits their application in actual four-wavelength WDM-systems. Latest developments and applications of acousto optic devices and their system characteristics will be reported.

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We have observed and measured two-photon absorption in In1−x−yGaxAlyAs/InP waveguides grown by molecular beam epitaxy over the wavelength range of 1.5–1.65 μm. The values of β2, the two-photon absorption coefficient, were 63 and 20 cm/GW for waveguides of compositions x=0.32, y=0.17 and x=0.15, y=0.31, respectively. These values are comparable with those predicted by scaling laws. We estimate the associated nonlinear refractive index coefficient n2 and discuss the implications for all-optical switching.

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