  This paper presents a low-loss optically-controlled inline RF switch suitable
for L- and S-band applications. Under 1.5 W laser power, the switch exhibits a
measured ON-state insertion loss of less than 0.33 dB and return loss better
than 20 dB across the band. The measured OFF-state isolation ranges from 27 dB
at 1 GHz to 17 dB at 4 GHz. The switch comprises a single silicon chiplet
excited by a 915-nm laser fiber which creates electron-hole pairs, thereby
exciting the ON-state silicon plasma. An optical fiber is guided through the
bottom of the RF substrate to illuminate the chiplet, which bridges a 1.075-mm
microstrip line gap. To the best of our knowledge, this is the lowest-loss
silicon plasma switch demonstrated today.
