Abstract

Optical switching systems using the wavelength multiplexing techinique are considered to be suitable for exchanging large numbers of channels. Electrooptic wavelength tunable filters are one of the key components in this type of system. The electrooptic filters which have been studied have only been capable of selecting single channels. Filters using the acoustooptic effect can overcome this limitation, but the switching speed is slow. A bulk type programmable filter has been proposed [1]. However, to achieve a narrow transmission bandwidth, the number of electrodes and drive circuits increases substantially. Here, we will propose devices that can overcome these limitations using the inherently high speed electrooptic effect.

© 1992 Optical Society of America