Phase and free spectra range adjustable optical reflectors for dense wavelength division multiplexing applications

Abstract

Phase and free spectra range adjustable reflectors, referred to herein as nano tuner (NanoT) reflectors, provide building blocks for the manufacturing of passive and active devices used for dense wavelength division multiplexing applications. Specifically, NanoT can be used to fabricate interleavers, multichannel filters and dispersion compensators, optical spectrum synthesizers and other valuable devices. Various embodiments are disclosed. Each provides at least one hermetically sealed optical cavity connected to a tuning device through a channel. The tuning device permits modification to the density of an optical medium contained in the cavity. In the preferred embodiments disclosed, the optical medium comprises one or more selected gases which determine the index of refraction in the cavity. The cavity is formed between two optical windows having facing surfaces coated by partially or wholly reflective coatings. The facing surfaces are separated by a selected distance by a precise spacer. In some embodiments, two cavities are employed and each may contain a wave plate or phase plate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.