Method and system for pass band flattening and broadening of transmission spectra using grating based optical devices

A device for expanding an operable wavelength band of an optical component receiving a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal, the device comprising:

• a reflective optical grating configured to separate and reflect the WDM signal into two groups of spectra separated by a prescribed wavelength difference;
• a focusing lens system in optical communication with the optical grating;
• and
• a receiving surface in optical communication with the focusing lens;
• wherein the two spectra separated and reflected by the optical grating are focused on the receiving surface separated by the prescribed wavelength difference such that the pass band transmission spectrum of the WDM signal is expanded.

A method for expanding an operable wavelength band of an optical component receiving a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal with a device having an optical grating, a focusing lens system and a receiving surface, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) separating the WDM signal into two wavelength bands separated by a prescribed wavelength difference with the optical grating;
• b) reflecting the two wavelength bands with the optical grating;
• and
• c) focusing the two wavelength bands with the focusing lens system onto the receiving surface such that the wavelength bands are separated by the prescribed wavelength difference such that the pass band spectrum of the WDM signal is expanded.

A system for expanding the optical wavelength band of a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal, the system comprising:

• grating means for receiving the WDM signal and separating the WDM signal into two wavelength bands separated by a prescribed wavelength difference;
• focusing means in optical communication with the grating means for focusing the two wavelength bands;
• and
• receiving means in optical communication with the focusing means for receiving the two wavelength bands separated by the prescribed wavelength difference such that the pass band spectrum of the WDM signal is expanded.

A system for expanding the optical wavelength band of a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal, the system comprising:

• grating means for receiving and diffracting the WDM signal;
• prism means for separating the diffracted signal into two wavelength bands separated by a prescribed wavelength difference;
• focusing means in optical communication with the prism means for focusing the two wavelength bands;
• and
• receiving means in optical communication with the focusing means for receiving the two wavelength bands separated by the prescribed wavelength difference such that the pass band spectrum of the WDM signal is expanded.