Wavelength demultiplexer using the spatial dispersion of multilayer thin-film structures

Author

Gerken, M. ; Miller, D.A.B.

Author_Institution

Edward L. Ginzton Lab., Stanford Univ., CA, USA

Volume

15

Issue

8

fYear

2003

Firstpage

1097

Lastpage

1099

Abstract

We demonstrate that a single 66-layer nonperiodic thin-film stack can be used to separate four wavelength channels by spatial beam shifting. This device uses group velocity effects similar to the superprism effect observed in photonic crystals, but shows larger and more controlled shifts including constant dispersion allowing for equidistant channel spacing. Experimentally, a nearly linear 100-μm shift is achieved between 827 and 841 nm. System considerations are discussed.

Keywords

demultiplexing; optical communication equipment; optical multilayers; optical prisms; photonic crystals; wavelength division multiplexing; 827 to 841 nm; constant dispersion; controlled shifts; equidistant channel spacing; group velocity effects; nonperiodic thin-film stack; photonic crystals; spatial beam shifting; superprism effect; wavelength channels; wavelength demultiplexer; Demultiplexing; Dielectric thin films; Dispersion; Nonhomogeneous media; Optical control; Optical reflection; Photonic crystals; Transistors; Velocity control; Wavelength division multiplexing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1041-1135

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/LPT.2003.815318

Filename

1215515