Method of optical self-switching using microresonator optical switch having nanoparticles

A method of optical self-switching, the method comprising:

• providing an optical switch comprising an optical coupler and a microresonator optically coupled to the optical coupler and having a plurality of nanoparticles;
• and
• receiving an optical signal by the optical switch, the optical signal having a signal wavelength, at least a portion of the optical signal is transmitted through the optical coupler and is absorbed by the nanoparticles of the microresonator such that at least a portion of the microresonator undergoes an elevation of temperature and a corresponding refractive index change when the optical signal has an optical power greater than a predetermined threshold level,
• wherein transmission of the optical signal through the optical switch is dependent on a relationship between the optical power of the optical signal and the predetermined threshold level.