Abstract: An multiport, multi-wavelength optical switch having and array of angular beam-directing devices employs an anamorphic optical system that transforms a beam corresponding to a given wavelength of a given multi-wavelength input channel into a beam, at a plane of the angular beam-directing device array, having an elliptical Gaussian-beam waist in the angular-directing direction of the beam-directing device and in the orthogonal direction, with the waist in the angular-direction being larger than the waist in the orthogonal direction. Planar and non-planar emitter/receivers for use with the switch are disclosed.

Abstract: A filter synthesis technique for realizing an arbitrary (amplitude- and phase-specified) transfer function for narrow-band incident optical signals, using a quasi-periodic echelle structure. In an ordinary (periodic) diffraction grating, the fixed spacing of its rulings is chosen in order that the device exhibit a very narrow spectral peak at a particular center wavelength, for a given angle of incidence, when the output is observed at the appropriate diffraction angle. In accordance with the present invention, the basic periodic structure is spatially perturbed in both the center spacing and width of its rulings in such a manner as to spread the spectral peak into an arbitrary spectral shape in the vicinity of what was (in the original, unperturbed grating) a narrow peak. In addition, the phase transfer function over the spectral range of interest may be tailored to fit any desired spectral phase profile.

Abstract: The invention consists of an apparatus or device for compensating for the chromatic and/or polarization mode dispersion of light waves in an optical communication system, and a method of using the device. The device is a feedback device wherein the feedback loop has a plurality of optical paths, and each of said optical paths has associated therewith a delay element which imparts a predetermined delay to a signal propagating through the optical path. The couplers/splitters in the device are configured to split an incoming optical signal among the plurality paths according to predetermined splitting ratios and to recombine the signal that have been delayed with incoming optical signal. The delays and splitting ratios may be predetermined and chosen to effect a specific change to said spectral profile.

Abstract: A method of modifying the spectral distribution of an optical signal includes the steps of splitting the signal among a plurality of optical paths, delaying the propagation of the signal through one or more of the optical paths by a time duration which results in the desired spectral distribution when the signals at the output ends of each optical path are recombined, and then recombining those outputs. An apparatus for changing the spectral profile of an optical signal includes an input waveguide and a plurality of tapped delay lines. Each of the tapped delay lines has a delay element configurable to impart a predetermined delay to the signal propagating down the delay line. Couplers split an optical signal, propagating on the input waveguide, among the tapped delay lines. The delays imparted to the signals on each line are chosen so as to effect the desired change to the spectral profile.

Abstract: A method of modifying the spectral distribution of an optical signal includes the steps of splitting the signal among a plurality of optical paths, delaying the propagation of the signal through one or more of the optical paths by a time duration which results in the desired spectral distribution when the signals at the output ends of each optical path are recombined, and then recombining those outputs. An apparatus for changing the spectral profile of an optical signal includes an input waveguide and a plurality of tapped delay lines. Each of the tapped delay lines has a delay element configurable to impart a predetermined delay to the signal propagating down the delay line. Couplers split an optical signal, propagating on the input waveguide, among the tapped delay lines. The delays imparted to the signals on each line are chosen so as to effect the desired change to the spectral profile.

Abstract: A reconfigurable bi-directional wavelength selective switch and variable optical attenuator is disclosed. It has an optical system that is symmetric about a polarization modulator. The symmetric optical system consists of an input birefringent optical system and output birefringent optical system disposed around polarization modulator. The optical system delivers the wavelength channels that are to be switched as a superimposed wavelength channel incident the polarization modulator. As a result, crosstalk is reduced below −35 dB and greater optical performance is achieved.

Abstract: A method of modifying the spectral distribution of an optical signal includes the steps of splitting the signal among a plurality of optical paths, delaying the propagation of the signal through one or more of the optical paths by a time duration which results in the desired spectral distribution when the signals at the output ends of each optical path are recombined, and then recombining those outputs. An apparatus for changing the spectral profile of an optical signal includes an input waveguide and a plurality of tapped delay lines. Each of the tapped delay lines has a delay element configurable to impart a predetermined delay to the signal propagating down the delay line. Couplers split an optical signal, propagating on the input waveguide, among the tapped delay lines. The delays imparted to the signals on each line are chosen so as to effect the desired change to the spectral profile.

Abstract: An optical spectrometer includes an echelle array disposed in the path of a light signal so as to diffract the incident light signal. The light signal falls within a predetermined wavelength band centered about a central wavelength. The echelle array has a plurality of diffraction scattering sites periodically spaced apart by a distance of at least about five times the central wavelength. The spectrometer further includes a photodetector array positioned to receive a far-field diffraction pattern produced by the diffracted light from the echelle array and to output electrical signals representing the spatial pattern and relative intensity of the far-field diffraction pattern. Additionally, the spectrometer includes a processing circuit coupled to the photodetector array for processing the electrical signals to determine the power spectrum of the light signal.

Abstract: A reconfigurable bi-directional wavelength selective switch is disclosed. It has an optical system that is symmetric about a polarization modulator. The symmetric optical system consists of an input birefringent optical system and output birefringent optical system disposed around polarization modulator. The optical system delivers the wavelength channels that are to be switched as a superimposed wavelength channel incident the polarization modulator. As a result, crosstalk is reduced below −35 dB and greater optical performance is achieved.

Abstract: A reconfigurable bi-directional wavelength selective switch is disclosed. It has an optical system that is symmetric about a polarization modulator. The symmetric optical system consists of an input birefringent optical system and output birefringent optical system disposed around polarization modulator. The optical system delivers the wavelength channels that are to be switched as a superimposed wavelength channel incident the polarization modulator. As a result, crosstalk is reduced below −35 dB and greater optical performance is achieved.

Abstract: A method of operating a programmable switched delay encoder as both a carrier signal generator and as an associated matched filter is disclosed. A user input specifies which carrier signal is to be generated by a transmitting programmable switched delay encoder and also specifies that the same selected carrier signal to be passed by the receiving programmable switched delay encoder. This user input renders the same feedback waveguides of the transmitting and receiving programmable autoregressive waveguide structures as transmissive, and also renders the same other feedback waveguides above the structures as absorbing, thus configuring both structures in the same way.