Wavelength-Scale Photonic Space Switch Proof-Of-Concept Based on Photonic Hook Effect

The proof-of-concept of a new wavelength-scaled all-optical two-channel switch based on the photonic hook phenomenon is proposed and demonstrated. By means of the numerical finite-difference time-domain simulations, several prototypes of such devices are considered based on dielectric microstructures with broken symmetry of both geometric shape and optical properties without the use of micromechanical devices or non-linear materials. Due to the unique property of the photonic hook to change its curvature depending on the optical wavelength, the proposed switch is a promising candidate for the implementation of optical switching in modern optoelectronics and miniature “on-chip” devices. Optical isolation that is close to 20 dB is discovered at the wavelengths of 1.5 and 1.9 µm for a dielectric Janus microbar-based switch with linear dimensions of about (6λ)3 (λ is the wavelength of the incident plane wave).