Method and system for providing a multi-channel optical filter

A method for providing filtering comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a first optical signal, a second optical signal, a third optical signal, and a fourth optical signal over a first fiber, a second fiber, a third fiber, and a fourth fiber, respectively;
• (b) providing the first optical signal, the second optical signal, the third optical signal, and the fourth optical signal to a first wedge assembly for directing the first optical signal in a first path, for directing the second optical signal in a second path, for directing the third optical signal in a third path, and for directing the fourth optical signal in a fourth path, wherein the first path, the second path, the third path, and the fourth path are substantially parallel;
• (c) filtering the first optical signal to provide a first filtered optical signal, filtering the second optical signal to provide a second filtered optical signal, filtering the third optical signal to provide a third filtered optical signal, and filtering the fourth optical signal to provide a fourth filtered optical signal using a single filter;
• and
• (d) providing the first filtered optical signal, the second filtered optical signal, the third filtered optical signal and the fourth filtered optical signal to a fifth fiber, a sixth fiber, a seventh fiber, an eighth fiber, respectively.

A system for filtering comprising:

• a first fiber, a second fiber, a third fiber, and a fourth fiber for carrying a first optical signal, a second optical signal, a third optical signal, and a fourth optical signal, respectively;
• a holder for receiving the first fiber, the second fiber, the third fiber, and the fourth fiber therein;
• a filter for filtering the first optical signal, the second optical signal, the third optical signal, and the fourth optical signal to provide a first filtered optical signal, a second filtered optical signal, a third filtered optical signal, and a fourth filtered optical signal;
• a first wedge assembly disposed between the holder and the filter, the first wedge assembly for directing the first optical signal towards the filter in a first path, for directing the second optical signal toward the filter in a second path, for directing the third optical signal towards the filter in a third path, and for directing the fourth optical signal toward the filter in a fourth path, wherein the first path, the second path, the third path, and fourth path are substantially parallel;
• and
• wherein the first wedge assembly further comprises:
• a first wedge for directing the first optical signal towards the filter in the first path;
• a second wedge for directing the second optical signal toward the filter in the second path;
• a third wedge for directing the third optical signal towards the filter in the third path;
• and
• a fourth wedge for directing the fourth optical signal toward the filter in the fourth path.

A method for providing filtering comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a first optical signal, a second optical signal, a third optical signal, and a fourth optical signal over a first fiber, a second fiber, a third fiber, and a fourth fiber, respectively;
• (b) providing the first optical signal, the second optical signal, the third optical signal, and the fourth optical signal to a first wedge assembly for directing the first optical signal in a first path, for directing the second optical signal in a second path, for directing the third optical signal in a third path, and for directing the fourth optical signal in a fourth path, wherein the first path, the second path, the third path, and the fourth path are substantially parallel;
• (c) filtering the first optical signal to provide a first filtered optical signal, filtering the second optical signal to provide a second filtered optical signal, filtering the third optical signal to provide a third filtered optical signal, and filtering the fourth optical signal to provide a fourth filtered optical signal using a single filter;
• (d) providing the first filtered optical signal, the second filtered optical signal, the third filtered optical signal and the fourth filtered optical signal to a fifth fiber, a sixth fiber, a seventh fiber, an eighth fiber, respectively;
• and
• (e) wherein the first wedge assembly further comprises:
• a first wedge for directing the first optical signal towards the filter in the first path;
• a second wedge for directing the second optical signal toward the filter in the second path;
• a third wedge for directing the third optical signal towards the filter in the third path;
• and
• a fourth wedge for directing the fourth optical signal toward the filter in the fourth path.