High resolution optical multiplexing and demultiplexing device in optical communication system
First Claim
1. An optical multiplexing and demultiplexing device comprising:
- a waveguide array for entering optical signals to be multiplexed/demultiplexed, in a layered structure with a waveguide layer formed by silica glass and having a plurality of waveguide channels for propagating the optical signals, adjacent waveguide channels being separated by an etching groove formed therebetween in the waveguide layer, and means provided in at least a part of the etching grooves formed among the waveguide channels for preventing optical coupling among the waveguide channels;
a lens for collimating the optical signals from the waveguide array and the multiplexed/demultiplexed optical signals to the waveguide array; and
a diffraction grating for diffracting the optical signals entered by the waveguide array and collimated by the lens to obtain wavelength division multiplexed/demultiplexed optical signals.
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Abstract
An optical multiplexing and demultiplexing device of a type using a lens and a diffraction grating, which incorporates a waveguide array having waveguide channels with narrow spacings for facilitating high resolution, where the narrow spacings are realized by forming an etching groove between each adjacent waveguide channels and providing a measure for preventing optical coupling among the waveguide channels in the form of an air gap, or a layer having a refractive index lower than a cladding layer, or a layer for absorbing/reflecting light, which is provided in the etching groove. The device also incorporates a reflection mirror for reflecting the initially diffracted lights from the diffraction grating back to the diffraction grating, such that the diffracting grating diffracts the diffracted lights reflected back from the reflection mirror again to produce wavelength division multiplexed/demultiplexed optical signals in high resolution.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. An optical multiplexing and demultiplexing device comprising:
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a waveguide array for entering optical signals to be multiplexed/demultiplexed, in a layered structure with a waveguide layer formed by silica glass and having a plurality of waveguide channels for propagating the optical signals, adjacent waveguide channels being separated by an etching groove formed therebetween in the waveguide layer, and means provided in at least a part of the etching grooves formed among the waveguide channels for preventing optical coupling among the waveguide channels; a lens for collimating the optical signals from the waveguide array and the multiplexed/demultiplexed optical signals to the waveguide array; and a diffraction grating for diffracting the optical signals entered by the waveguide array and collimated by the lens to obtain wavelength division multiplexed/demultiplexed optical signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification