Abstract

There is increasing interest today in the use of wavelength division multiplexing in fiber communications systems, both to increase network capacity and to provide network flexibility. Many of the network architectures currently under study require, or would benefit from, tunable single-mode wavelength filters, multiplexers, or demultiplexers. We report here the use of a non-symmetric interferometer as a voltage-tunable wavelength filter with periodic wavelength response. We show that this filter can be used as a wavelength multiplexer, using known integrated optic components, and that it can be cascaded to separate 2ⁿ channels in n stages. We have made a series of filters with channel separation of 11 to 26 nm, using standard Ti:LiNbO₃ waveguides. The filters are tunable over the period of their response, requiring less than 8 volts to tune through the complete period, and are capable of high speed operation.

© 1988 Optical Society of America