Abstract: An optical filter system is disclosed. The optical filter system includes a first filter configured to output light signals having wavelengths falling within a plurality of periodically spaced wavelength bands. A second filter in optical communication with the first filter and being configured to output light signals having wavelengths falling within a plurality of periodically spaced bands. The period of the bands associated with the first filter is different than the period of the bands associated with the second filter.

Abstract: A tunable dispersion compensator is disclosed. The dispersion compensator includes an array waveguide grating having a plurality of array waveguides. A component is configured to receive portions of a light signal from the array waveguide grating and to combine the portions of the light signal into an output light signal having a dispersion profile. At least a portion of the array waveguides include an effective length tuner configured to tune the effective length of an array waveguide. The effective length tuners are configured to tune the effective lengths of the array waveguides such that the dispersion profile of the output light signal is tuned.

Abstract: A dispersion compensator for changing the dispersion profile of a light signal is disclosed. The dispersion profile of a light signal is the intensity versus time profile of the light signal. The compensator includes a plurality of array waveguides that are each configured to receive a portion of an input light signal having an input dispersion profile. A light distribution component is configured to receive the light signal portions from the array waveguides and to combine the light signal portions so as to form an output light signal with an output dispersion profile. The array waveguides are configured such that the output dispersion profile is different from the input dispersion profile.

Abstract: An optical filter is disclosed. The filter includes a light distribution component having an output side. A plurality of array waveguides are configured to deliver a light signal into the light distribution component such that the light signal is incident on the output side of the light distribution component. The array waveguides are configured to adjust the location where the light signal is incident on the output side.

Abstract: An optical filter is disclosed. The filter includes an array waveguide grating having a plurality of array waveguides. Each array waveguide is configured to receive a portion of an input light signal and output the portions of the light signal such that the portions of the light signal are combined into an output light signal. The filter also includes effective length tuners configured to change an effective length of a plurality of the array waveguides. The effective length tuners are configured to be engaged such that an angle at which the output light signal travels away from the array waveguide grating shifts relative to a reference angle. The reference angle is the angle at which the output light signal travels when the one or more effective length tuners are not engaged.

Abstract: A method of separating optical components is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a substrate structure having a plurality of optical components formed on the substrate structure. The method also includes performing a separation etch on a separation region of the substrate structure. The separation region is selected such that separating the substrate structure at the separation region separates at least one of the optical components from the other optical components.

Abstract: An optical component is disclosed. The optical component includes a base adjacent to a light transmitting medium. A waveguide is defined in the light transmitting medium. The waveguide has a thickness of greater than 5 &mgr;m measured from the base, and has no or very small polarization dependence. In some instances, the waveguide is a member of an array waveguide grating and is sized to have little or no polarization dependence.

Abstract: A waveguide is disclosed. The waveguide includes a first side defining a first portion of a light signal carrying region and a second side defining a second portion of the light signal carrying region. The second side is positioned opposite the first side and at least a portion of the second side is taller than the first side. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the waveguide has a curve with an inside and an outside. The second side is positioned on the inside of the curve and the first side is positioned on the outside of the curve.

Abstract: Substantial reduction in crosstalk and improved scalability for supporting high channel counts in dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) systems is achieved in an optical demultiplexer arrangement that partitions the total number of input optical channels into separate demultiplexer modules, demultiplexes smaller groups of optical channels in the separate demultiplexer modules, and filters the individual optical channels at the outputs of the separate demultiplexer modules. Partitioning the total number of channels into smaller demultiplexing groups and post-filtering a reduced number of demultipexed optical channels reduces the number of non-adjacent channels that can contribute to the total crosstalk level. The modularity of the optical demultiplexer arrangement results in smaller device footprints and smaller free spectral ranges associated with the demultiplexer modules. This modularity also allows for future system upgrades without redesign and without disruption to existing service.

Abstract: The present claimed invention improves on the conventional comb and multiple router approach by making multiple use of a single router by using interleaved groups of wavelengths that enter through different entrance ports and exit through different groups of exit ports of the same router. This permits better separation (lower crosstalk) between adjacent channels, greatly reduced temperature sensitivity, small physical size and lower cost. With these improvements, a large number of wavelength add/drop sites may be cascaded in WAD/WDM systems.