System and method for optical multiplexing and/or demultiplexing

A multiplexing device for multiplexing four channels, wherein each channel contains light within a range of wavelengths, the multiplexing device comprising:

• a frame;
• a core positioned within the frame;
• a first mirror coupled to a surface of the core;
• at least four transmissive filters coupled to the core, wherein each of the transmissive filters is associated with one of the channels;
• at least four input collimators, wherein each of the input collimators provides a beam containing one of the respective channels;
• at least four prisms, wherein each of the prisms is associated with one of the channels;
• an output collimator;
• and
• a second mirror positioned between the first mirror and the output collimator;
• wherein:
• the frame forms openings for receiving the input collimators, the output collimator and the prisms positioned such that the beam from each input collimator is directed to the OAE and the transmissive filter associated with the respective channel;
• each transmissive filter is configured to select a range of wavelengths which includes the associated channel and to direct the selected range of wavelengths to the first mirror;
• the first mirror reflects the selected range of wavelengths from each transmissive filter along an aligned path to form a composite beam;
• and
• the composite beam is directed to the output collimator by reflecting off of at least the first mirror and the second mirror.

A multiplexing device for multiplexing four channels, wherein each channel contains light within a range of wavelengths, the multiplexing device comprising:

• a frame;
• a core positioned within the frame;
• a first mirror coupled to a surface of the core;
• at least four transmissive filters coupled to the core, wherein each of the transmissive filters is associated with one of the channels;
• at least four lasers, wherein each of the lasers provides a beam containing one of the respective channels;
• at least four prisms, wherein each of the prisms is associated with one of the channels;
• an output collimator;
• and
• a second mirror positioned between the first mirror and the output collimator;
• wherein:
• the frame forms openings for receiving the lasers, the output collimator and the prisms positioned such that the beam from each laser is directed to the OAE and the transmissive filter associated with the respective channel;
• each transmissive filter is configured to select a range of wavelengths which includes the associated channel and to direct the selected range of wavelengths to the first mirror;
• the first mirror reflects the selected range of wavelengths from each transmissive filter along an aligned path to form a composite beam;
• and
• the composite beam is directed to the output collimator by reflecting off of at least the first mirror and the second mirror.

A demultiplexing device for demultiplexing a plurality of channels, wherein each channel contains light within a range of wavelengths, the demultiplexing device comprising:

• an input element configured to provide a beam containing the plurality of channels;
• a plurality of filters, each filter associated with one of the channels, wherein each filter is transverse to the path of the beam and is configured to select the associated channel;
• a plurality of optical alignment elements (OAEs), each OAE associated with one of the channels, wherein each OAE is configured to provide at least two directional changes in the path of the associated channel;
• and
• a plurality of output elements, each output element associated with one of the channels, wherein each output element is configured to receive the associated channel after the associated channel is selected by the corresponding filter.

A demultiplexing device for demultiplexing four channels, wherein each channel contains light within a range of wavelengths, the demultiplexing device comprising:

• a frame;
• a core positioned within the frame;
• a first mirror coupled to a surface of the core;
• at least four transmissive filters coupled to the core, wherein each of the transmissive filters is associated with one of the channels;
• an input collimator providing a composite beam containing the respective channels;
• at least four prisms, wherein each of the prisms is associated with one of the channels;
• at least four output collimators, wherein each of the output collimators is associated with one of the channels;
• and
• a second mirror positioned between the first mirror and the input collimator;
• wherein:
• the frame forms openings for receiving the input collimator, the output collimators and the prisms positioned such that the composite beam from the input collimator is directed to the second mirror, the first mirror and the transmissive filters;
• and
• each transmissive filter is configured to select a range of wavelengths from the composite beam which includes the associated channel and to direct the selected range of wavelengths to the prism and the output collimator associated with the respective channel.

A demultiplexing device for demultiplexing four channels, wherein each channel contains light within a range of wavelengths, the demultiplexing device comprising:

• a frame;
• a core positioned within the frame;
• a first mirror coupled to a surface of the core;
• at least four transmissive filters coupled to the core, wherein each of the transmissive filters is associated with one of the channels;
• an input collimator providing a composite beam containing the respective channels;
• at least four prisms, wherein each of the prisms is associated with one of the channels;
• at least four optical detectors, wherein each of the optical detector is associated with one of the channels;
• and
• a second mirror positioned between the first mirror and the input collimator;
• wherein:
• the frame forms openings for receiving the input collimator, the optical detectors and the prisms positioned such that the composite beam from the input collimator is directed to the second mirror, the first mirror and the transmissive filters;
• and
• each transmissive filter is configured to select a range of wavelengths from the composite beam which includes the associated channel and to direct the selected range of wavelengths to the prism and the optical detector associated with the respective channel.

A multiplexing device for multiplexing a plurality of channels, the multiplexing device comprising:

• means for transmitting a plurality of input beams, wherein each of the input beams provides one of the channels;
• means for filtering each channel from the respective input beam;
• means for aligning each of the filtered channels along the same beam path;
• and
• means for receiving the filtered channels on the beam path and outputting a composite beam containing all of the channels;
• wherein the means for aligning each of the filtered channels comprises an optical element for each of the channels which has at least four degrees of freedom which affect the path of the respective channel.

A demultiplexing device for demultiplexing a plurality of channels, the demultiplexing device comprising:

• means for transmitting a composite input beam containing all of the channels;
• means for filtering each channel from the composite input beam;
• means for receiving each of the filtered channels;
• and
• means for aligning each of the filtered channels with the corresponding means for receiving the respective filtered channel;
• wherein the means for aligning each of the filtered channels comprises an optical element for each of the channels which has at least four degrees of freedom which affect the path of the respective channel.

A multiplexing device for multiplexing a plurality of channels, wherein each channel contains light within a range of wavelengths, the multiplexing device comprising:

• a plurality of transmitters, each transmitter associated with one of the channels, wherein each transmitter provides a beam containing the associated channel;
• a plurality of optical alignment elements (OAEs), each OAE associated with one of the channels, wherein each OAE is configured to provide at least four degrees of freedom which affect the direction of the path of the beam containing the associated channel;
• a plurality of filters, each filter associated with one of the channels, wherein each filter is transverse to the beam containing the associated channel and is configured to select a range of wavelengths which includes the associated channel;
• and
• an output element configured to receive the channels after the channels are selected by the associated filters.

A demultiplexing device for demultiplexing a plurality of channels, wherein each channel contains light within a range of wavelengths, the demultiplexing device comprising:

• an input element configured to provide a beam containing the plurality of channels;
• a plurality of filters, each filter associated with one of the channels, wherein each filter is transverse to the path of the beam and is configured to select the associated channel;
• a plurality of optical alignment elements (OAEs), each OAE associated with one of the channels, wherein each OAE is configured to provide at least four degrees of freedom which affect the direction of the path of the associated channel;
• and
• a plurality of output elements, each output element associated with one of the channels, wherein each output element is configured to receive the associated channel after the associated channel is selected by the corresponding filter.