Patent ID: 7206477
Filing Date: 2007-04-17
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical filter to filter light comprising: a first multiband filter (MBF) to separate the light into N subbands, wherein the optical filter has a free spectral range (FSR) of F, and the first MBF has a FSR of a plurality of N branches, each branch comprising a dispersive element, and at least one of the branches having an element selected from the group consisting of a phase control element and a delay element, and each of the branches ending in a branch end; N additional MBFs having P outputs, each of the N MBFs coupled to respective branch ends, each of the P outputs forming further branches comprising one or more elements selected from the group consisting of a dispersion element, a phase control element and a delay element, and each further branch having a further branch end; and a mirror oriented to reflect the light from each further branch end back through the respective further end to an output of the first MBF.