Patent ID: 6608948
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: G02B,H04J

Abstract:
An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer for multiplexing/demultiplexing any selected sub-band of M adjacent channels of optical frequencies from a plurality of sub-bands comprising:a first planar waveguide; a second planar waveguide; a plurality of spaced apart individually selectable waveguide inputs N coupled to the first planar waveguide, the N inputs being separated to provide complementary input sub-band frequencies each spectrally separated by substantially M*&Dgr;f, the N inputs for launching complementary sub-band frequencies of adjacent channels in a demultiplexer mode of operation, or for outputting a multiplexed band of adjacent channels in a multiplexing mode of operation; a plurality of spaced apart waveguide outputs M coupled to the second planar waveguide, the M outputs being separated to provide a spectral frequency interval &Dgr;f, for receiving demultiplexed output channel frequencies of an input sub-band in a demultiplexer mode of operation, or for launching a plurality of adjacent channel frequencies in a multiplexing mode of operation; and an arrayed waveguide grating optically coupling the first and second planar waveguides having a periodic free spectral range equal to substantially N*M*&Dgr;f.