Bidirectional multiplexer and demultiplexer based on a single echelle waveguide grating
US6959129B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/12107
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A bidirectional multiplexer and demultiplexer based on a single waveguide grating is presented. In one embodiment of the invention, the device contains a multi/demultiplexer having an echelle grating disposed between a plurality of input channels and a plurality of output channel arrays. The input and output channels are assigned in a particular order, such that the multiplex and demultiplex functions have the same wavelength channels and such that the blaze angle of the grating facets are optimized simultaneously for both the multiplex and demultiplex function. Because the optical signals are multiplexed and demultiplexed by the same dispersive element, problems of mismatching performance introduced by using different optical components are obviated. The input/output waveguides of the dual-function device can be coupled to a single fiber array, thus reducing the packaging cost.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.