An optic switch for cross-connecting input light signals incoming from inlet
fiber
cables to outlet fiber cables is disclosed that makes use of a holographic filter
(5) having a series of preformed different speckle patterns, each in the
form of a hologram (H1, H2, . . . ). Associated with input
light signals guided past respective inlet passages (4in) of a multimode
waveguide (4), different speckle patterns are formed by applying different
control voltages across respective electrode pairs (10, 10a) provided
thereon. These speckle patterns past a single outlet passage (4out) of the
multimode waveguide (4) into which the inlet passages (4in) converge
are joined together and enter the holographic filter (5) in which an input
light signal is selectively switched, addressed and cross-connected to an outlet
waveguide (2) through a region thereof where a formed speckle pattern coincides
with a preformed speckle pattern. The multi mode waveguides (4) is formed
in, e.g., a LiNbO3 photorefractive substrate (3).