Abstract

Current multiplexer designs employ one of three different technologies: (1) dichroic interference filters (primarily for two to five channel systems); (2) diffraction gratings; or (3) interferometric techniques. While interferometric techniques provide an extremely narrow passband bandwidth (gigahertz), they are extremely sensitive to extraneous environmental conditions. Most grating-type multiplexer designs also suffer performance degradation due to shock or vibration. Therefore, they are unacceptable in a rugged industrial/military operating environment.

© 1988 Optical Society of America