Wavelength-division-multiplexing optical circuit implemented in photonic integrated circuit for optical transmitter

Abstract

An optical circuit is used with continuous wave signals having different wavelengths at a channel spacing from one another. A portion of the optical circuit is implemented in a photonic integrated circuit. Modulators in a modulation stage modulate the continuous wave signals to produce modulated signals. A multiplexing stage, which can have multiplexing filters, power combiners, or power couplers, multiplexes the continuous wave or modulated signals to produce multiplexed signals. The multiplexing stage may be placed either before or after the modulation stage. One or more polarization rotator and combiner (PRC) devices in a final stage combines the multiplexed signals into an output signal. The output signal has a first set of the different wavelengths at a first polarization and has a second separate set of the different wavelengths at a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.