Low-power, broadband optical switch

A system, comprising an integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit includes:

• a first optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide defined in a semiconductor layer, wherein a material underneath a portion of the first optical waveguide is removed so that the portion is free standing;
• an intermediate component positioned proximate to the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide;
• a group of first electrodes proximate to the free-standing portion of the first optical waveguide;
• and
• a spacing-control circuit, electrically coupled to the group of first electrodes, that is configured to apply an electrical signal to the group of first electrodes,
• wherein the spacing-control circuit includes a current source and the electrical signal includes a current;
• and
• wherein an electrostatic force associated with the electrical signal modifies a spacing between the free-standing portion of the first optical waveguide and the intermediate component, thereby substantially increasing optical coupling of a broadband optical signal, which includes a range of wavelengths greater than a predefined value, between the first optical waveguide and the intermediate component.

A method for selectively optically coupling a broadband optical signal in an integrated circuit, comprising:

• conveying the optical signal in a first optical waveguide defined in a semiconductor layer in the integrated circuit, wherein a material underneath a portion of the first optical waveguide is removed so that the portion is free standing;
• providing an electrical signal to a group of first electrodes proximate to the free-standing portion of the first optical waveguide so that an electrostatic force associated with the electrical signal modifies a spacing between the free-standing portion of the first optical waveguide and an intermediate component in the integrated circuit, thereby substantially increasing optical coupling between the first optical waveguide and the intermediate component, wherein providing the electrical signal comprises providing a current to the group of first electrodes;
• and
• optically coupling the broadband optical signal, which includes a range of wavelengths greater than a predefined value, from the first optical waveguide to the intermediate component, and from the intermediate component to a second optical waveguide, which is defined in the semiconductor layer, and which is proximate to the intermediate component.