Arrayed waveguide grating multiplexer-demultiplexer and related control method

摘要

An arrayed waveguide grating multiplexer/demultiplexer includes an array of optical waveguides ordered in sequence from a shortest waveguide up to a longest waveguide, and identical phase shifters configured to be controlled by a same control signal. Each phase shifter increases/decreases an optical path of an optical waveguide by the same quantity based on the control signal.

主权项

1. An arrayed waveguide grating demultiplexer, comprising:
a first slab waveguide defining a first free propagation region; a second slab waveguide defining a second free propagation region; an array of optical waveguides ordered in sequence from a shortest optical waveguide to a longest optical waveguide, having first end portions and second end portions, respectively, to receive input optical signals throughout the first free propagation region and to irradiate output optical signals throughout the second free propagation region, with components of a same wavelength of the output optical signals constructively interfering at a respective main focal spot located in a position of the second free propagation region based on the wavelength; each optical waveguide, except for the shortest optical waveguide, being longer by a same amount than the optical waveguide that precedes in the sequence; and a plurality of identical phase shifters coupled to said array of optical waveguides, and configured to be commanded together by a same control signal, with each phase shifter being configured to change an optical path of an optical waveguide of said array of optical waveguides to which it is coupled by a same amount, as determined by the control signal; the shortest optical waveguide or the longest optical waveguide having at least one phase shifter coupled thereto, with each of said remaining optical waveguides having a number of phase shifters greater by a constant integer than the number of phase shifters coupled to the optical waveguide that precedes or follows in the sequence so that a difference in the number of phase shifters between adjacent optical waveguides is equal to the constant integer.