OPTICAL MULTIPLEXER/DEMULTIPLEXER

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an array waveguide grating type optical multiplexer/ demultiplexer possible to be smaller-sized. SOLUTION: An array waveguide grating 16 is formed into an arc shape or a spiral shape on the surface of a spherical base body 10 so that a prescribed difference of an optical path length is generated in plural array waveguides 16(1)-16(N). An input waveguide and a first slab waveguide are formed on the surface of the base body 10 so as to input light into one end sides of the array waveguides 16(1)-16(N) and also a second slab waveguide and an output waveguide are formed so as to guide light out of the other end sides of the array waveguides 16(1)-16(N). Since a large surface area is obtained from the spherical base body 10 having a small diameter, the small sized optical multiplexer/demultiplexer is realized.