Wavelength tunable optical interleaver

Abstract

An optical interleaver of a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system includes an optical coupler, first and second waveguides, a high reflection mirror, and first and second phase shifters. The coupler divides an input optical signal. The first waveguide branches off from the coupler in a first direction. The second waveguide branches off from the coupler in a second direction for providing an optical path different from that provided by the first waveguide. The high reflection mirror is disposed at an end of the first waveguide for reflecting a first optical signal incident onto the first waveguide. The first phase shifter is disposed at an end of the second waveguide for multiple-reflecting a second optical signal incident onto the second waveguide. The second phase shifter is disposed at the first or second waveguide for adjusting an optical path difference between the first and second waveguides by varying its refractive index.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.