Appeal No. 96-3896
Application No. 08/152,315
The invention relates to optical multiplexers and
demultiplexers which use Bragg grating reflectors to select
optical channels in wavelength division multiplexed optical
communication systems. In the multiplexer of Figure 2, a
three-port optical circulator 36 circulates optical signals
from one port to the next port. For example, optical signals
which enter port 1 exit at port 2, and optical signals which
enter port 2 exit at port 3. An optical signal having a first
wavelength ë is coupled to circulator port 1 at input 30.
j
This signal exits circulator 36 through circulator port 2.
The exiting optical signal encounters an in-fiber Bragg
grating reflector 38 and is reflected back through circulator
port 2. A multiplexed optical signal ë is coupled at input
k
32 to the reflector 38 for transmission into circulator port
2. The multiplexed signal ë comprises a group of optical
k
signals, each at a different wavelength. The multiplexed
optical signal ë and the optical signal ë are circulated fromk j
circulator port 2 to circulator
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