SYSTEM FOR HIGHER-ORDER DISPERSION COMPENSATION

摘要

A high-order compensator including a first tuning element that adjusts a first order polarization mode dispersion component of a signal and a second tuning element that adjusts the signal's second order polarization mode dispersion component and the variable chromatic dispersion component. The compensator may include a polarization controller that converts incoming light of an arbitrary polarization to a polarization controlled signal having a desired state of polarization. The first tuning element may include a differential higher-order delay line including a polarization beam splitter/combiner that splits the polarization controlled signal into a first polarization component and a second orthogonal polarization component. A first waveguide having a first grating receives the first polarization signal. A second waveguide having a second grating receives the second polarization signal. The chirp of the gratings may be linear, non-linear, or may have a more complex spatial dependence. The length of the gratings may be equal or greater than one meter.