Abstract: An optical chromatic dispersion compensator (60) betters optical communication system performance. The dispersion compensator (60) includes a collimating means (61) that receives a spatially diverging beam of light from an end of an optical fiber (30). The collimating means (61) converts the spatially diverging beam into a mainly collimated beam that is emitted therefrom. An optical phaser (62) receives the mainly collimated beam from the collimating means (61) through an entrance window (63), and angularly disperses the beam in a banded pattern that is emitted from the optical phaser (61). A light-returning means (66) receives the angularly dispersed light and reflects it back through the optical phaser (62) to exit the optical phaser near the entrance window (63) thereof.

Abstract: An optical chromatic dispersion compensator (60) betters optical communication system performance. The dispersion compensator (60) includes a collimating means (61) that receives a spatially diverging beam of light from an end of an optical fiber (30). The collimating means (61) converts the spatially diverging beam into a mainly collimated beam that is emitted therefrom. An optical phaser (62) receives the mainly collimated beam from the collimating means (61) through an entrance window (63), and angularly disperses the beam in a banded pattern that is emitted from the optical phaser (61). A light-returning means (66) receives the angularly dispersed light and reflects it back through the optical phaser (62) to exit the optical phaser near the entrance window (63) thereof.