A four-channel monolithic optical/electronic selector for fast packet-switched WDMA networks

We report the characteristics of a four-channel monolithic GaAs optical/electronic selector for applications in fast packet-switched wavelength division multiaccess networks. The selector chip consists of four metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors sharing a single differential transimpedance amplifier selected by four enhancement-mode MESFET switches. The channel switching time is about 2 ns and no appreciable crosstalk is observed from neighboring channels. >