Thermo-optic Wavelength Tunable Filter using Polymer Optical Waveguide for WDM Systems

摘要

We have developed a polymer thermo-optic(TO) wavelength tunable filter that can select any wave- length division multiplexed (WDM) channel from among WDM channels. This tunable filter should have a wide tuning range because polymer materials as waveguides have a large TO coefficient. We evalu- ated its suitability for use in LAN systems, its long-term operating stability, its tunability over a wide wavelength range, and its responsiveness. We demonstrated its applicability to LAN systems and its stable operation by testing it in the feedback system of a filter with a 9-nm tuning range. We developed a tunable filter with a pair of triangular phase shifters on arrayed waveguides that provide fast re- sponse and wideband tunability. This filter has crosstalk less than -30dB, tunability wider than 20 nm. And a response time less than 60ms.