Monitor Photodiode Multiplexer for Integrated Photonic Switches

A network component configured to monitor optical signals, the network component comprising:

• a transmitter;
• a receiver;
• and
• an on-chip photonic integrated circuit (PIC), wherein the PIC comprises:
• a plurality of input terminals;
• a plurality of output terminals;
• and
• a plurality of monitor elements wherein each of the monitor elements is connected between a corresponding one of the input terminals and a corresponding one of the output terminals,
• wherein each monitor element comprises a photodiode and a rectifier, wherein the photodiode comprises a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the rectifier comprises a third terminal and a fourth terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the third terminal, and wherein the first and third terminals comprise a same polarity.

A method of operating a photonic integrated circuit (PIC), comprising:

• applying a bias voltage to one of a plurality of input terminals each connected to a first terminal of at least one of a plurality of monitor elements, wherein each monitor element comprises a photodiode and a rectifier, wherein one terminal of the photodiode is connected to one of the input terminals and one terminal of the rectifier is connected to one of a plurality of output terminals;
• applying at least one optical signal to at least one of the monitor elements;
• and
• registering a photocurrent in at least one of the output terminals.