Patent ID: 6963684
Filing Date: 2005-11-08
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A planar lightwave circuit for demultiplexing an optical signal that contains a plurality of consecutive odd and even numbered bands of information channels within a prescribed range of wavelengths, a respective odd numbered band of information channels containing a plurality of sequentially contiguous information channel wavelengths extending from a lower information channel wavelength of said respective odd numbered band to an upper information channel wavelength of said respective odd numbered band, and a respective even numbered band of information channels being comprised of a plurality of sequentially contiguous information channel wavelengths extending from a lower information channel wavelength of said respective even numbered band to an upper information channel wavelength of said respective even numbered band, and wherein an information channel wavelength within any band is not encompassed by the wavelength bandwidth of any other band, and wherein consecutive odd numbered bands are separated from one another by an even numbered band therebetween, and consecutive even numbered bands are separated from one another by an odd numbered band therebetween, said planar lightwave circuit comprising: a first, odd numbered band-associated periodic grating element, which is selectively coupled to receive any odd numbered band and is operative to demultiplex therefrom each of the plurality of sequentially contiguous information channel wavelengths contained in said any odd numbered band applied thereto; and a second, even numbered band associated periodic grating element, which is selectively coupled to receive any even numbered band and is operative to demultiplex therefrom each of the plurality of sequentially contiguous information channel wavelengths contained in said any even numbered band applied thereto.