Wavelength-tunable optical filters: applications and technologies

The authors review noncoherent, frequency-tunable filter (receiver) technologies. They describe three basic mechanisms of wavelength filtering: filters that are based on the wavelength dependence of interferometric phenomena, with emphasis on Fabry-Perot interferometer filters; filters that are based on the wavelength dependence of coupling between optical fields (modes) induced by external perturbations (both acoustooptic and electrooptic filters are described); and filters that are based on resonant amplification of optical signals in semiconductor laser diode devices (these devices provide gain in addition to wavelength selectivity). For each technology the authors explain briefly the principles of operation and quantify the relevant system parameters: tuning range, channel separation, number of channels, crosstalk isolation, gain and distortion, speed of wavelength tuning, and complexity. They present a unified picture of filtering mechanisms in an appendix.<>