Zolo Technologies, Inc.

Gerry Murphy

Andrew D Sappey

Pei Huang

Robert Harr

An apparatus for use in optical communication systems to multiplex/demultiplex an optical signal consisting of an optical channel(s) of distinct wavelength(s) having a select channel spacing within a select wavelength range. The apparatus includes a plurality of optical waveguides aligned generally along the same optical axis with each having a propagating end. At least two of the optical waveguides each propagate a distinct multiplexed optical signal comprising a plurality of channels, with the multiplexed optical waveguides being arranged in a multiplexed linear array. The others of the optical waveguides are single channel waveguides arranged in a two dimensional array with linear rows perpendicular to the multiplex linear array and with each linear row corresponding to a multiplex optical waveguide. A reflective echelle grating is optically coupled to the plurality of optical waveguides along the optical axis and receives an optical signal emitted from at least one of the optical waveguides and detracts the optical signal(s) to at least one other of the optical waveguide(s).

Echelle grating dense wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer

A dense wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer (&ldquo;DWDM&rdquo;) for use in optical communication systems includes a multiplex optical waveguide propagating a plurality of optical channels of a select channel spacing multiplexed as a single optical signal within a select near infrared wavelength range. A collimating/focusing optic is optically coupled to the multiplex optical waveguide at a select focal length. A reflective echelle grating is optically coupled to the collimating/focusing optic. The echelle grating has a groove spacing and blaze angle providing a channel spacing of the multiplexed optical signal at the select focal length for a select order of diffraction. A linear array of single channel waveguides, each propagating a single channel within the near infrared wavelength range is optically coupled to the collimating/focusing optic. Each optical single channel waveguide has a center and a propagating end and the propagating ends are spaced the focal length from the collimating/focusing optic and the centers of adjacent demultiplexed waveguides are spaced the select channel spacing.

A dense wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer for use in optical communication systems using optical signals in a select near infrared wavelength range and a select channel spacing includes at least two multiplex optical waveguides each propagating a distinct multiplexed optical signal comprising a plurality of channels. The multiplex optical waveguides are arranged in a linear array. A two dimensional array of single channel waveguides is arranged in linear rows perpendicular to the multiplexed linear array with each linear row corresponding to a multiplex optical waveguide and the number of single channel waveguides in each row being at least equal to the number of channels in the multiplexed optical signals. The single channel waveguides each have a center and the centers of adjacent single waveguides in each row are spaced a select distance. A collimating/focusing optic is optically coupled between the multiplex and single channel waveguide arrays and has an optical axis and a select focal length.

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Highlands Ranch, CO, United States of America

Gerry Murphy