Avanex Corporation

Olga Gorbounova

Simon X F Cao

Hubert Joachim Vollmer

Kenneth John Bystrom

The present invention provides an improved wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) which utilizes a grating-based channel separator. The WDM includes an interleaved channel separator; and at least one channel separator optically coupled to the interleaved channel separator. The channel separator includes a grating. In a preferred embodiment, the channel separator also includes an alignment surface of the grating, a sleeve comprising a mount, the mount capable of contacting the grating, and an alignment plate coupled to an outer surface of the sleeve, wherein the alignment plate is capable of contacting the alignment surface of the grating. This grating-based channel separator affords a quick, easy, precise and reproducible positioning and alignment of grating block. Thus, the WDM is minimized in size while also reproducibly assembled with perfect alignment in a minimal amount of time.

WDM utilizing grating-based channel separators

The present invention provides an improved wavelength division multiplexer (WDM). The WDM includes a birefringent plate; a reciprocal optical rotator optically coupled to the birefringent plate; and a diffraction grating optically coupled to the reciprocal optical rotator at a side opposite to the birefringent plate. This grating-based WDM provides very low polarization-dependent loss, and therefore, greatly reduces insertion loss. This increases the reliability of the data carried by the channels.

WDM utilizing diffraction gratings with polarization dependent loss compensation

The present invention provides an improved optical cross connect (OXC) which utilizes interleaved channel separators and grating-based channel separators. The OXC includes a plurality of de-multiplexing interleaved channel separators; a plurality of multiplexing interleaved channel separators; and a plurality of channel routers optically coupled between the plurality of de-multiplexing interleaved channel separators and the plurality of multiplexing interleaved channel separators, where each of the channel routers includes: a grating comprising an alignment surface, a first sleeve comprising a mount, the mount capable of contacting the grating, and an alignment plate coupled to an outer surface of the first sleeve, wherein the alignment plate is capable of contacting the alignment surface of the grating. This grating-based channel separator affords a quick, easy, precise and reproducible positioning and alignment of the grating block. Thus, the OXC is minimized in size while also reproducibly assembled with perfect alignment in a minimal amount of time.

Optical cross connect utilizing grating-based channel routers

The present invention provides a package for a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM). The package includes a grating comprising an alignment surface; a first sleeve comprising a mount, the mount capable of contacting the grating; and an alignment plate coupled to an outer surface of the first sleeve, where the alignment plate is capable of contacting the alignment surface of the grating. The preferred embodiment of the package also includes a second sleeve with a holding mechanism in contact with the grating. This packaging affords a quick, easy, precise and reproducible positioning and alignment of grating. Thus, the WDM is minimized in size while also reproducibly assembled with perfect alignment in a minimal amount of time.

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Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

Olga Gorbounova