A fiber optic switch based on the magneto-optic effect of magnetic
materials is presented. Due to the optical fiber based construction of
the switching device it is suitable for optical fiber networks The on-off
function of the switch is useful for isolation and connection of node(s)
from a fiber optical network without having to turn off a laser. The
switch is based on the Faraday Effect exhibited by magneto-optic
materials. The all-fiber magneto-optic switch has a beam splitter at the
input that splits an incoming signal into orthogonal polarized paths.
Each path has at least one magneto-optic Faraday rotator (MOFR)
controlled by a field. When the field is present, the polarization of the
optical beam changes, thereby turning the switch on or off depending on
the initial polarization of the beam. A beam coupler couples the
orthogonal polarized paths at the output of the all-fiber magneto-optic
switch. The MOFR is a bismuth substituted iron garnet. In an alternate
embodiment the switch is constructed in the Mach-Zehnder configuration,
utilizing two 3 dB couplers, isolators and MOFRs. In an alternate
embodiment the switch is fabricated on silicon-on-insulator.