Dispersion compensator and optical transmission system using same

A dispersion compensator comprising:

• light input signal switching means;
• and
• a plurality of dispersion compensating waveguides which are placed side by side on the same plane and have different wavelength dispersions and which respectively have coupled microcavities;
• whereby the dispersion compensating waveguides are selected by the switching means to thereby control a value for compensating for each wavelength dispersion in an optical transmission path.

A dispersion compensator, at least comprising:

• an input-side optical system;
• a waveguide array comprising a plurality of dispersion compensating waveguides respectively having different wavelength dispersions;
• a drive unit for driving the waveguide array;
• and
• an output-side optical system,
• wherein the dispersion compensating waveguides respectively have coupled microcavities, and
• wherein the waveguide array is shifted by the drive unit to thereby select the dispersion compensating waveguide through which an optical pulse passes, whereby the dispersion compensating waveguide controls a value for compensating each wavelength dispersion in an optical transmission path.