Patent ID: 7106930
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: G02B,H04J

Abstract:
1. An optical device for monitoring a selected wavelength light signal in a wavelength multiplexed optical signal, comprising: an array waveguide multiplexer/demultiplexer (AWMD) within a chip, the AWMD having an input/output port and a plurality internal locations to where individual selectable wavelengths are routed as separate wavelength light signals each having a different centre wavelength; means for coupling the wavelength multiplexed optical signal into the input/output port of the array waveguide multiplexer/demultiplexer for demultiplexing the wavelength multiplexed optical signal into a plurality of wavelength light signals, a plurality of optical shutters associated with each internal location of the array waveguide multiplexer/demultiplexer for selectively blocking or passing the individual wavelength light signals routed to the internal locations of the array waveguide multiplexer/demultiplexer, wherein in operation, each shutter selectively interrupts or allows light to pass along a single optical waveguide so that light that is passed by an optical shutter is reflected back along the same single optical waveguide so as to make a double pass through said shutter, and so that when light is blocked by an optical shutter, and any light leakage is further blocked by the shutter on its return path after being reflected back to the shutter, one or more reflectors optically coupled to the optical shutters for reflecting any light signals received from one or more of the optical shutters back through the one or more optical shutters into the array waveguide multiplexer/demultiplexer for combining any passed light signals into a selected wavelength light signal at the input/output port of the array waveguide multiplexer/demultiplexer; an optical splitter with an input port and first output port and a second output port for coupling the selected wavelength light signal from the input/output port of the array waveguide multiplexer/demultiplexer to the input port of the optical splitter; and a detector directly coupled with the chip so as to form an integral block or integrated within the chip for monitoring the selected wavelength signal.