'Once switched, PCMs require no power to maintain their switched state' <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Optical-switching technology built on nano-antenna reflectarrays and tunable materials could transform high-speed optical networks, new research has shown. <\/p>\n
Dr Maciej Klemm and Professor Martin Cryan from the University of Bristols Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering propose using the concept of tunable optical antennas and antenna arrays for dynamic beam shaping and steering utilised in free-space optical inter\/intra chip interconnects. <\/p>\n
Tunability of optical antennas is achieved by using phase change materials (PCMs), which exhibit different optical properties in the amorphous and crystalline states. <\/p>\n
By engineering optical antennas or antenna arrays, it is possible to design dynamic wireless optical links. In order to demonstrate this concept, the researchers modelled a PCM-based tunable reflectarray configured to form a dynamic optical link between a source and two receivers. <\/p>\n
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The study found the designed reflectarray is able to switch the optical link between multiple optical receivers by changing the refractive index of the PCM. Two types of antennas were used in the tunable reflectarray to achieve full control of the wavefront of the reflected beam. <\/p>\n
PCMs, together with nanoantennas, have the potential to provide fast, dynamic optical switching with very low power consumption levels, said Dr Klemm. Once switched, PCMs require no power to maintain their switched state. <\/p>\n
This could be a breakthrough technology for applications such as data centres where power consumption is of critical importance. <\/p>\n
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UK researchers discover breakthrough technology for enterprise networks<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 'Once switched, PCMs require no power to maintain their switched state' Optical-switching technology built on nano-antenna reflectarrays and tunable materials could transform high-speed optical networks, new research has shown. Continue reading