Demonstration of Remote Powering a 1 × 2 Thermo-Optical Switch With Power-Over-Fiber Technology

A photonic system including the power-over-fiber powering of a silicon-on-insulator 1 ⨯ 2 thermo-optic switch based on a Mach-Zehnder structure was designed, and a prototype was developed and tested. The power section consists of an integrated photovoltaic cell, a dc-dc power converter and a NiMH battery. A standard communication fiber transmits light from a single-wavelength power laser to a fiber-pigtailed power converter photodiode, which is operated near its maximum power point through a dc-dc power converter. The converter stage was designed to set the output voltage to a level suitable for charging a battery and actuating the heater of the thermo-optic switch under test. The correct operation of the system is demonstrated. The results could be of interest for developing optical circuits capable of establishing reconfigurable optical paths among users in non-electrified optical networks.