Bandwidth Tunable Gratings for Dynamic Dispersion Compensation in Lightwave

摘要

A bandwidth tunable fiber Bragg grating (FBG) device performs tuning in an optical transmission circuit by placing a grating in a compliant material, which is transversely loaded to create longitudinal strain through the Poisson effect of materials. Careful application of various load magnitudes along the length of the grating through the compliant material creates a strain gradient along the length of the grating, which chirps the grating thus resulting in altering the bandwidth of the grating. Tuning the grating bandwidth results, effectively, in tuning the dispersion of light being reflected off the grating. Insertion of such a device in the optical link allows for dynamic dispersion compensation in the link. The ability of the device to dial-in' a desired amount of dispersion is what makes it valuable.