Optical mode steering for wavelength stabilization

摘要

Embodiments of the invention describe wavelength stabilization of selective optical components (e.g., multiplexers, de-multiplexers) using optical mode steering. An additional waveguide structure (130) is coupled to a free propagation region (102) of the selective optical component. This additional waveguide structure (130) moves a spatial position or a direction of a propagation of an optical mode at the free propagation region (102) in order to adjust a wavelength response of the component. By moving the position or direction of the optical mode, the wavelength response of the component may be changed; in other words, by tuning the position or direction of the optical mode, a component's wavelength/channel response is "remapped" to account for the mis-targeting (i.e., wavelength shift) related to a temperature change or a design/manufacturing defect.