Abstract: The present invention generally provides an optical wavelength router that includes at least one dendritic taper region. The dendritic taper region includes at least one dendritic taper which has a trunk and at least one branch optically coupled to the trunk. In addition to the dendritic taper region, the optical wavelength router includes at least one input waveguide, a input slab waveguide, an arrayed waveguide grating, an output slab waveguide, and at least one output waveguide. The improved optical wavelength router provides a wide passband width without a substantial effect on insertion loss.

Abstract: An arrayed waveguide grating router (AWGR) comprises sets of output waveguides for a number of bands. Angular separation of adjacent output waveguides is relatively small for adjacent output waveguides. within a band and significantly larger for adjacent output waveguides belonging to different bands. In specific embodiments the output waveguides are arranged into at least two bands, each band comprising at least two adjacent waveguides. Each band is used in conjunction with an input waveguide specific to the particular band. AWGRs according to the invention may be made so that the passbands from a plurality of output waveguides fall on a wavelength grid or a frequency grid. Dummy waveguides may be included for ease of fabrication.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides an optical wavelength router that includes at least one dendritic taper region. The dendritic taper region includes at least one dendritic taper which has a trunk and at least one branch optically coupled to the trunk. In addition to the dendritic taper region, the optical wavelength router includes at least one input waveguide, a input slab waveguide, an arrayed waveguide grating, an output slab waveguide, and at least one output waveguide. The improved optical wavelength router provides a wide passband width without a substantial effect on insertion loss.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device which carries multiple optical signals where the optical device has a plurality of distal waveguides some of which may be configured to control insertion loss among the multiple optical signals.