Optical switches including a ring resonator

A structure for an optical switch, the structure comprising:

• a first waveguide core including a first portion and a second portion;
• a second waveguide core including a first portion and a second portion;
• a first ring resonator disposed adjacent to the first portion of the first waveguide core;
• a second ring resonator disposed between the first ring resonator and the first portion of the second waveguide core;
• an optical coupler coupled to the second portion of the first waveguide core and the second portion of the second waveguide core;
• a first phase shifter associated with the first portion of the first waveguide core, the first phase shifter arranged between the first and second ring resonators and the optical coupler;
• and
• a second phase shifter associated with the first portion of the second waveguide core, the second phase shifter arranged between the first and second ring resonators and the optical coupler.

A method of forming a structure for an optical switch, the method comprising:

• forming a first waveguide core that includes a first portion and a second portion;
• forming a second waveguide core that includes a first portion and a second portion;
• forming a ring resonator having a first portion adjacent to the first portion of the first waveguide core and a second portion adjacent to the first portion of the second waveguide core, wherein the first portion of the ring resonator is spaced from the first portion of the first waveguide core by a first gap over a first coupling region, and the second portion of the ring resonator is spaced from the first portion of the second waveguide core by a second gap over a second coupling region;
• forming an optical coupler that is coupled to the second portion of the first waveguide core and the second portion of the second waveguide core;
• forming a first phase shifter associated with the first portion of the first waveguide core, wherein the first phase shifter is arranged between the ring resonator and the optical coupler;
• and
• forming a second phase shifter associated with the first portion of the second waveguide core, wherein the second phase shifter arranged between the ring resonator and the optical coupler.