Temperature controller and array waveguide lattice type optical wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer

摘要

In a temperature control device which maintains an object to be controlled at a preset constant temperature and an arrayed waveguide grating optical wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer, the adverse effect of the junction temperature of the semiconductor control element is eliminated for the purpose of simplifying the overall structure and improving operation efficiency sufficiently without any trouble. The object 10 to be controlled, which is an arrayed waveguide grating optical wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing element, is fixed on the soaking plate 2 which is made from a good heat conductive material. The semiconductor control element 3 with a control terminal which functions as a heat generator by using its-junction temperature and a temperature sensor 5 are fixed on the soaking plate 2. A negative feedback control is applied to the conduction condition of the semiconductor control element 3 in accordance with the error signal s3 which indicates the difference between the present temperature signal s2 obtained from the temperature detection signal s4 transmitted from the temperature sensor 5 and the preset target temperature signal s1. Consequently, the junction temperature of the semiconductor control element 3 is effectively used as a heating source not as a loss, thereby reducing the power consumption and stabilizing the performance.