Architecture for wavelength multiplexers
A system including wavelength multiplexers. In some embodiments, the system includes: a first multiplexing element, having a first plurality of input waveguides, each configured to receive light at a respective wavelength of a first plurality of wavelengths; and a second multiplexing element, having a second plurality of input waveguides, each configured to receive light at a respective wavelength of a second plurality of wavelengths. A wavelength of the second plurality of wavelengths may fall between a first wavelength of the first plurality of wavelengths and a second wavelength of the first plurality of wavelengths.
1 . A system, comprising:
a first multiplexing element, having a first plurality of input waveguides, each configured to receive light at a respective wavelength of a first plurality of wavelengths;
a second multiplexing element, having a second plurality of input waveguides, each configured to receive light at a respective wavelength of a second plurality of wavelengths;
a first laser chip comprising a first plurality of lasers configured to emit a first subset of the first plurality of wavelengths;
a second laser chip comprising a second plurality of lasers configured to emit a second subset of the second plurality of wavelengths; and
a third laser chip comprising a third plurality of lasers configured to emit a first a first subset of the second plurality of wavelengths,
wherein;
a wavelength of the second plurality of wavelengths falls between a first wavelength of the first plurality of wavelengths and a second wavelength of the first plurality of wavelengths; and
the first subset of the second plurality of wavelengths falls between the first subset of the first plurality of wavelengths and the second subset of the first plurality of wavelengths.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a separation between two adjacent wavelengths of the first plurality of wavelengths is within 30% of a separation between two adjacent wavelengths of the second plurality of wavelengths.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a separation between two adjacent wavelengths of the first plurality of wavelengths is within 1% of a separation between two adjacent wavelengths of the second plurality of wavelengths.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of wavelengths comprises 10 wavelengths and the second plurality of wavelengths comprises 10 wavelengths.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first multiplexing element and the second multiplexing element together occupy a chip area less than 3.5 square millimeters.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first multiplexing element is an echelle grating.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the echelle grating has a Rowland radius within 50% of 840 microns.
8 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the echelle grating has a grating period within 50% of 3 microns.
9 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the echelle grating has an order of 2.
10 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the echelle grating has an area within 50% of 0.9 mm 2 .
11 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the second multiplexing element is an echelle grating.