All-pass optical filters
AssigneeLucent Technologies Inc.
InventorsRudolf Feodor Kazarinov, Gadi Lenz, Christi Kay Madsen, Ronald Edward Scotti
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Abstract
An all-pass optical filter which reduces the dispersion of optical pulses transmitted therethrough is disclosed. The all-pass optical filter reduces the dispersion of optical pulses by applying a desired phase response to optical pulses transmitted therethrough. The all-pass optical filter also has a frequency independent amplitude response. The all-pass optical filter has a structure which includes at least one feedback path, a splitter/combiner, an input port, and an output port.
Claims18
An all-pass filter for compensating dispersed signal pulses in an optical communication system, the filter comprising:
- a length of optical waveguide including an input port for receiving the dispersed signal pulses and an output port for the exit of compensated pulses;
- a splitter/combiner optically coupled to the waveguide between the input port and the output port;
- at least one feedback path optically coupled to the waveguide by the splitter/combiner, the splitter/combiner coupling input signal pulse light from the waveguide onto the feedback path and signal pulse light from the feedback path onto the waveguide toward the output,
- wherein light from a dispersed signal pulse coupled to the feedback path is returned to the waveguide to interfere with light in the dispersed pulse and thereby compensate dispersion in the pulse while substantially preserving the amplitude of each frequency in the pulse.
A method of reducing the dispersion of optical pulses comprising the steps of:
- inputting an optical pulse into an all-pass optical filter, wherein the all-pass optical filter includes an input port, an output port, a splitter/combiner, and at least one feedback path, and wherein the input optical pulse contains a packet of frequencies, each frequency having an amplitude;
- applying a desired phase response to the optical pulse input to the all-pass optical;
- and
- transmitting the optical pulse out of the all-pass optical filter, wherein the amplitude of each frequency of the optical pulse transmitted through the all-pass optical filter is substantially preserved.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.