Wavelength control and calibration for wavelength division multiplexed optical communication

Wavelength calibration of equipment in the 1500 nm region is essential to ensure channel stability and characterize optical components for wavelength division multiplexed optical fiber communication systems. We review the wavelength accuracy and stability requirements for these systems and discuss various approaches to meeting these requirements. Our approach is to develop high-accuracy wavelength references for National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) internal calibration and moderate-accuracy references as convenient transfer standards to help industry calibrate their instrumentation