An electro-optical switch implemented in coupled photonic crystal
waveguides is disclosed. The switch is proposed and analyzed using both a
finite-difference time-domain ("FDTD") method and a plane wave expansion
("PWM) method. The switch may be implemented in a square lattice of
silicon posts in air, as well as in a hexagonal lattice of air holes in a
silicon slab. Switching occurs due to a change in the conductance in the
coupling region between the photonic crystal waveguides, which modulates
the coupling coefficient and eventually causes switching. Conductance may
be induced electrically by carrier injection or optically by
electron-hole pair generation. The electro-optical switch has low
insertion loss and optical crosstalk in both the cross and bar switching
states.