Abstract

This paper describes packaging and thermal stabilization of a LiNbO₃ acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF). The AOTF is regarded as a key component for wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) optical communications, due to its broad continuous wavelength tunability, narrow filter bandwidth, and capability for independent multichannel filtering^1,2. Significant advances in AOTF performance have been realized in recent years, including drive power reduction, sidelobe suppression, and polarization-independent operation. We have focused on the issue of stabilizing AOTF operation under non-ideal ambient conditions, as part of a collaborative program to build and study an advanced WDM network.³

© 1995 Optical Society of America