The present invention relates to an integrated optical ring resonator waveguide
surrounded by an upper bus and a lower bus waveguide. A first resonant and intense
optical wave is coupled into the upper bus whereas a second resonant optical wave
is coupled into the lower bus. These resonant waves propagate from one bus to the
other through the resonator in opposite directions. The first wave modulates the
core refractive index of the resonator (Kerr effect) and thereby shifts the resonant
conditions of the resonator. This results in the amplitude modulation of the second
wave at its non-resonant port. Through this process, the optical amplitude modulation
pattern of the first wave is transferred to the second wave. Optical wavelength
switching is achieved when the waves have different wavelengths. In alternative
embodiments and methods of driving the resonator, the resonator can achieve filtered
wavelength tuning, add-and-drop multiplexing, space switching and intensity modulation.