Patent ID: 7289697
Filing Date: 2007-10-30
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A polarization independent optical pulse shaper, comprising: a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) including at least one waveguide array; a Fourier lens disposed in a free space region adjacent the collimating lens; a spatial light modulator having a reflective surface disposed in the free space region at a back focal plane of the Fourier lens; a control unit, coupled to the spatial light modulator, operable to modify at least portions of the reflective surface of the spatial light modulator so as to impart a changed phase modulation to at least one frequency component incident thereon such that when recombined with other frequency components received from the PLC, a changed optical pulse will manifest the phase change imparted to the at least one component by the reflective surface; a first device coupled to the control unit, the first device operable to provide a characterization information of an optical signal, wherein the control unit is further operable to adjust the control voltages based, at least in part, upon characterization information provided by the first device; and a circulator coupled between the PLC and the first device.