Patent ID: 6335830
Filing Date: 2002-01-01
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An interleaver/deinterleaver apparatus comprising:a first port for inputting or outputting a first polarized optical signal comprising a second signal with a first subset of channels, and a third signal with a second subset of channels; a second port for outputting or inputting the second signal; a third port for outputting or inputting the third signal; a birefringent assembly optically coupled to the first, second and third ports; a plurality of reflective elements positioned to reflect the first optical signal a plurality of times through the birefringent assembly along a first optical path or for reflecting the second and third signals a plurality of times through the birefringent assembly along second and third paths, respectively, thereby providing the first subset of channels with a different polarization than the second subset of channels; a first beam splitter/combiner positioned to receive the optical signals from the birefringent assembly, for separating the first subset of channels from the second subset of channels or for combining the first subset of channels with the second subset of channels; and a mirror positioned to reflect the first and second subsets of channels separately back to the birefringent assembly and the plurality of reflective elements for a second pass through the birefringent assembly along the second and third optical paths, respectively, that are parallel to the first optical path or to reflect the first and second subsets of channels together back to the birefringent assembly and the plurality of reflective elements for another pass through the birefringent assembly along the first optical path; wherein the first optical signal received via the first port is separated into the first subset and the second subset and directed to the second port and the third port, respectively, or wherein optical signals received via the second port and the third port are combined and directed to the first port.