Grating-based wavelength selective switch
The present invention is a wavelength-selective optical transmission system that includes a first waveguide for transmitting a multiplexed optical signal therethrough. The system further includes a second waveguide coupled to the first waveguide wherein a least one of the first and second waveguides have a set of wavelength-selective Bragg gratings disposed near a coupling section between the first and second waveguides to reflect a reflecting optical signal back to the first waveguide and for transmitting a contra-directional optical signal and a co-directional optical signal having respectively a contra-directional selected wavelength and a co-directional selected wavelength corresponding to the Bragg gratings. One of the contra-directional and co-directional wavelengths is chosen as a designated wavelength, and the reflecting optical signal and one of the contra-directional or co-directional optical signals are outside of a predefined range surrounding the designated wavelength.
1. A wavelength-selective optical transmission system comprising:
a first waveguide for transmitting a multiplexed optical signal therethrough;
a second waveguide coupled to said first waveguide wherein a least one of said first and second waveguides having a set of wavelength-selective Bragg gratings disposed near a coupling section between said first and second waveguides to reflect a reflecting optical signal back to said first waveguide and for transmitting a contra-directional optical signal and a co-directional optical signal having respectively a contra-directional selected wavelength and a co-directional selected wavelength corresponding to said Bragg gratings wherein one of said contra-directional and co-directional wavelengths is chosen as a designated wavelength, and said reflecting optical signal and one of said contra-directional or co-directional optical signals are outside of a predefined range surrounding said designated wavelength; and
said first and second waveguides are disposed and manufactured on a silicon substrate by applying an integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing process thereon; and
said contra-directional wavelength is chosen as said designated wavelength and
β
1
<
β
2
and
λ
min
λ
max
>
max
(
2
β
1
β
1
+
β
2
,
β
2
-
β
1
β
1
+
β
2
)
.
2. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said first waveguide and said second waveguide have two different propagation constants.
3. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said first waveguide and said second waveguide composing of two different materials.
4. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said Bragg gratings disposed on said first waveguide.
5. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said Bragg gratings comprising a periodic variation of a refractive index of an optical propagation material.
6. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said Bragg gratings comprising a periodic variation of a structural characteristic of an optical propagation material.
7. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said Bragg gratings comprising a periodic variation of a structural characteristic and a refractive index of an optical propagation material.
8. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said first and second waveguides are manufactured on a silicon substrate by applying an integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing process thereon.
9. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said predefined range of wavelength surrounding said designated selected wavelength having a wavelength range between λ min and λ max and said first and second waveguide having an optical propagation constant of β 1 and β 2 respectively.
10. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said first waveguide having a SiO 2 cladding and a doped SiO 2 core and said second waveguide have a SiO 2 cladding and a SiRN core.
11. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said first waveguide having a SiO 2 cladding and a doped SiO 2 core and said second waveguide have a SiO 2 cladding and a Si core.
12. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said first waveguide having a SiO 2 cladding and a doped SiO 2 core and said second waveguide have a SiO 2 cladding and a SiO x N y core.
13. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said first waveguide having a SiO 2 cladding and a doped SiO 2 core and said second waveguide have a SiO 2 cladding and a Si 3 N 4 core.
14. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said first waveguide having a SiO 2 cladding and a doped SiO 2 core and said second waveguide have a SiO 2 cladding and a Ta 2 O 5 & SiO 2 core.
15. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said first waveguide having a SiO 2 cladding and a doped SiO 2 core and said second waveguide have a SiO 2 cladding and a polymer core.
16. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said first waveguide having a SiO 2 cladding and a doped SiO 2 core and said second waveguide have a SiO 2 cladding and a PLZT core.
17. The wavelength-selective optical transmission system of claim 1 wherein:
said first waveguide having a SiO 2 cladding and a doped SiO 2 core and said second waveguide have a SiO 2 cladding and an aluminosilicate core.