MULTIPLEXORS WITH A FLAT TOP SPECTRAL CHANNEL SHAPE

摘要

A multiplexing/demultiplexing optical circuit provides a demultiplexed outpu t spectrum of channels having a flat amplitude response without sacrificing optical power. A phased array implementation and a diffraction grating implementation both rely on a first dispersion of the beam to be demultiplexed and subsequent division of the wavelengths into channels. Local inversion is induced within each channel of the dispers ed wavelengths about a channel central wavelength. After the wavelengths are spatially inverted, they are once again provided to a dispersion element or array effectively nullifying the dispersion effects across the channel band to provide output channels having a substantially "flat-tops", while providing good channel separation through global dispersion of all the wavelengths.