Abstract: An optical device for rerouting and modifying an optical signal that uses a double pass through a liquid crystal modulator is disclosed. The optical device includes a first polarizer for providing polarized light, a liquid crystal modulator for selectively modifying the polarized light, a second polarizer for analyzing the light passed through the liquid crystal modulator, and a reflector for reflecting the analyzed light back through the second polarizer, the liquid crystal modulator, and the first polarizer. This arrangement provides a double pass through the liquid crystal modulator, thus significantly improving the attainable extinction ratio.

Abstract: A modular optical platform for selective wavelength switching that can be adapted to perform various other functions, such as dispersion compensation, dynamic gain equalization (DGE) and add/drop multiplexing (ADM) provides the versatility and modularity that will be essential to the future of the fiber optics industry. The basic platform includes a first lens for directing an optical signal, a diffraction grating for dispersing an optical signal into its component wavelength channels, a second lens for directing the component wavelength channels, and a modifying device for conducting one or more of a variety of functions including dispersion compensation, switching, DGE and COADM. The first and second lens are preferably replaced by a single concave reflective mirror having optical power. The modifying means for dispersion compensation according to the present invention includes a tunable etalon.

Abstract: An optical device for rerouting and modifying an optical signal that is capable of operating as a dynamic gain equalizer (DGE) and/or a configurable optical add/drop multiplexer (COADM) is disclosed. The optical design includes a front-end unit for providing a collimated beam of light, an element having optical power for providing collimating/focusing effects, a diffraction element for providing spatial dispersion, and modifying means which in a preferred embodiment includes one of a MEMS array and a liquid crystal array for reflecting and modifying at least a portion of a beam of light. The modifying means functions as an attenuator when the optical device operates as a DGE and as a switching array when the optical device operates as a COADM.

Abstract: A modular optical platform for selective wavelength switching that can be adapted to perform various other functions, such as dynamic gain equalization (DGE) and add/drop multiplexing (ADM) provides the versatility and modularity that will be essential to the future of the fiber optics industry. The basic platform includes a first lens for directing an optical signal, a diffraction grating for dispersing an optical signal into its component wavelength channels, a second lens for directing the component wavelength channels, and a modifying device for conducting one or more of a variety of functions including switching, DGE and ADM. The first and second lens are preferably replaced by a single concave reflective mirror having optical power.

Abstract: An optical device for rerouting and modifying an optical signal that is capable of operating as a dynamic gain equalizer (DGE) and/or a configurable optical add/drop multiplexer (COADM) is disclosed. The optical design includes a front-end unit for providing a collimated beam of light, an element having optical power for providing collimating/focusing effects, a diffraction element for providing spatial dispersion, and modifying means which in a preferred embodiment includes one of a MEMS array and a liquid crystal array for reflecting and modifying at least a portion of a beam of light. The modifying means functions as an attenuator when the optical device operates as a DGE and as a switching array when the optical device operates as a COADM.

Abstract: A reference system for an optical wavelength scanner, used for measuring wavelengths of radiation from an optical device. The system utilizes a wavelength reference comprising a fixed fiber Fabry-Perot (FFP) filter in combination with a reference fiber Bragg grating (FBG) having an accurately known reflection wavelength to minimize the effects of drift and non-linearities in the scanner and to allow a simple flexure element to be used to position a dispersive grating. The wavelengths of the reference comb of the fixed FFP are determined by reference to that of the reference FBG. Then, the peaks or notches in the light intensity from the device under test are located with respect to the comb of peaks produced by the reference. In a most simple embodiment two ports are coupled so as to provide their output light to the dispersive element simultaneously and only a single collimating lens is required for collimating light from the output ports.