A photonic switch according to the present invention may be formed using one
of
a selected group of non-linear optical materials. Each of the materials within
this group has a refractive index that demonstrates a substantial peak as a function
of wavelength, where the peak occurs at a wavelength distinct from the wavelength
of the input signal. A method of producing a photonic switch according to the present
invention includes fabricating source and drain waveguides using micro-molding
or micro-contact printing processes, or MIMIC (micro-molding in capillaries) of
a UV-curable polymer. If desired, a gate waveguide may also be formed in part by
these processes. The photonic switch also includes a photonic crystal formed from
non-linear optical material, which may be formed, for example, using a block copolymer
and nanoparticle composite in a MIMIC or fluidics process. Such a process
may employ a functionalized mold material to align the blocks.