Patent ID: 6574049
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical interleaver for receiving N (N is an integer&gE;1) input composite optical signals each having a plurality of M channels, each such channel having a selected bandwidth and center frequency and splitting the input composite signal into a plurality of, but fewer than M channels; the interleaver comprising: a broadband non-polarizing beam splitter having 50% reflectance and 50% transmittance receiving said input composite signal at a selected angle of incidence; at least a pair of cavities, with at least one cavity positioned on each side of the said beam splitter, each optical cavity comprising: two optically transparent, parallel windows having facing surfaces, each surface having an optical coating, said surfaces being separated by a precision spacer forming an hermetically sealed optical cavity between said windows and within said spacer.