Patent ID: 6597841
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical device for receiving a primary optical signal having one or more wavelengths, the optical device comprising:an n-way optical coupler, where n is an integer &gE;2, the n-way optical coupler having one input and n outputs, the n-way optical coupler directing the optical signal into at least one of the outputs of the n-way optical coupler; and an arrayed waveguide grating including a first optical slab having an exterior face and an interior face, the exterior face having n ports, each of the n ports being coupled to an output of the n-way optical coupler, each port receiving the optical signal emerging from the corresponding output of the n-way optical coupler; a waveguide array structure including a plurality of waveguides, each of the waveguides having a first end coupled to the interior face of the first optical slab, each of the waveguides having an second end; and a second optical slab having an interior face and an exterior face, the interior face being coupled to the second end of each of the plurality of waveguides of the waveguide array structure, the exterior face having a plurality of ports, wherein the optical signal emerging from each of the outputs of the n-way coupler is demultiplexed to a corresponding set of demultiplexed main diffraction order signals in the second optical slab, wherein the n ports of the first optical slab that are coupled to the n-way optical coupler are spaced in relation to one another such that for each of the outputs of the n-way coupler, the demultiplexed main diffraction order signals corresponding to an optical signal emerging from that output of the n-way coupler do not substantially overlap with the demultiplexed main diffraction order signals corresponding to an optical signal emerging from any other of the outputs of the n-way optical coupler at the exterior face of the second optical slab, and wherein the n ports of the first optical slab that are coupled to the n-way optical coupler are spaced in relation to one another such that demultiplexed signals of one wavelength do not substantially overlap with demultiplexed signals of another wavelength at the exterior face of the second optical slab.