Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical demultiplexer for demultiplexing an input signal containing a group of optical signals each at a different wavelength into at least two optical signals. The demultiplexer comprises a first optical transfer system comprising an optical circulator having at least three circulator ports for circulating optical signals from one port to the next port in a circulating direction. An input signal containing a group of optical signals is coupled to each at a different wavelength to a first of the circulator ports. A second circulator port optical path is coupled to the second circulator port, the second circulator port being the next circulator port in the circulating direction from the first circulator port. The second circulator port optical path includes a grating reflector for reflecting one of the group of optical signals back to the second circulator port. The reflected optical signal is circulated from the second circulator port to the third circulator port which is the next port in the circulating direction from the second circulator port while the unreflected optical signals from the group of optical signals passes through the grating reflector and continuing on the second circulator port optical path. A second optical transfer system comprising an optical circulator having at least three ports for the input and output of optical signals is optically coupled to the second circulator port optical path of the first optical transfer system at a position downstream of the grating reflector. An output line is coupled to the third circulator port of the first optical transfer system for receiving the reflected optical signal from the second circulator port, i.e., the demultiplexed optical signal.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim