VARIABLE WAVELENGTH ATTENUATOR FOR SPECTRAL GROOMING AND DYNAMIC CHANNEL EQUALIZATION USING MICROMIRROR ROUTING

摘要

A method and apparatus are provided for spectral grooming of light having a multiple spectral bands. The light is received at an input port (12) and encounters an optical train disposed between the input port (12) and at least one output port. The optical train provides optical paths for routing the spectral bands and includes a dispersive element (25) disposed to intercept light traveling from the input port (12). An attenuation mechanism (45) is provided for independently attenuating the individual spectral bands. The attenuation mechanism (45) has multiple configurable attenuation elements (45(1),4582),45(N)) disposed so that each spectral band is attenuated in accordance with a state of one of the configurable attenuation elements.