Variable dual-directional thermal compensator for arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) modules

An athermal arrayed waveguide grating (AAWG) module utilized for achieving wavelength multiplexing and de-multiplexing with optical networks, comprising:

• a photonic chip having a fixed component and a movable component;
• and
• a thermal compensator, comprising:
• a frame member having a fixed end section connected to the fixed component of the photonic chip and a movable end section adapted to be-connected to the movable component of the photonic chip so as to move or displace the movable component of the photonic chip the frame member expands and contracts under hot and cold temperature conditions, and a central bar member disposed within a hollow interior of the frame member, the central bar member having a substantially T-shaped configuration with transversely extending arms located at a head portion of the substantially T-shaped central bar member, wherein the transversely extending arms of the central bar member are attached at opposing sections of the frame member, wherein the frame member is fabricated from a first predetermined material which has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and the central bar member is fabricated from a second predetermined material which has a second coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) which is less than the first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the first predetermined material comprising the frame member, whereby under hot temperature conditions, the frame member will expand at a greater rate than will the central bar member, whereas under cold temperature conditions, contraction of the central bar member at a rate slower than the contraction of the frame member will effectively retard the contraction of the frame member such that the athermal arrayed waveguide grating (AAWG) module can maintain the proper focus of light coming into the athermal arrayed waveguide grating (AAWG) module in order to achieve proper wavelength multiplexing and de-multiplexing within the optical networks.

A method for assembling an athermal arrayed waveguide grating (AAWG) module comprising a thermal compensator, the method comprising:

• fabricating a frame member having a hollow interior being adapted to be connected to an athermal arrayed waveguide grating (AAWG) module, the frame member being fabricated from a first predetermined material which has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE);
• fabricating central bar member from a second predetermined material which has a second CTE which is less than the first CTE of the first predetermined material comprising the frame member, the central bar member having a substantially T-shaped configuration with transversely extending arms located at a head portion of the substantially T-shaped central bar member;
• placing the central bar member within the hollow interior of the frame member;
• and
• attaching the transversely extending arms of the central bar member at opposing sections of the frame member for increasing thermal expansion of the frame member in a direction perpendicular to an axis defining the opposing sections.