Compact, low-crosstalk, WDM filter elements for multimode ribbon fiber data links
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); LLNL
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
We have been developing the optical components for a source-routed wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) computer interconnect fabric that uses multi-mode fiber ribbon cable as the transmission medium. We are developing wavelength selectable VCSEL transmitters, interference filters, and a compact broadcast element. Here we report on key results from our interference filter development activities. Our WDM filter approach is based upon post-market machining of the commercially available molded plastic "MT" fiber ribbon connector. We use III-IV semiconductors grown by MBE or MOCVD as the filter materials. The high indices of our thin film materials enable us to use multimode fiber and maintain narrow passbands without the need for micro-optics. We have fabricated both 2-port and 3-port devices based upon this approach. Our current work focuses on 2-port WDM filters suitable for a broadcast and select architecture. Our single-cavity Fabry- Perot (FP) filters have demonstrated insertion losses of < 2 dB for 4 nm passbands. The maximum crosstalk suppression for the single-cavity FP filters is 18dB To improve crosstalk suppression beyond that attainable with the Lorentzian lineshapes of the single-cavity FP we have investigated some multiple-cavity Fabry-Perot (MC-FP) designs which have a spectral response with a flatter top and sharper passband edges. Filter passband edge sharpness can be quantified by the ratio of the filter 3 dB bandwidth to 18 dB bandwidth This ratio is 0.48 for our multi-cavity filter, three times sharper than the single-cavity FP devices. This device provides a 5 nm tolerance window for component wavelength variations (at 1 dB excess loss) and is suitable for 10 nm channel spacing with 23 dB crosstalk suppression between adjacent channels. The average insertion loss for the MC-l? devices is 1.6 dB. (Average of insertion losses for the 12 fibers in a filter module.) Our current MC-FP filters have a 3-dB width of 7.6nm. Fiber to fiber center wavelength variations within a typical filter module are less than lnm. The MC-FP devices exhibit cross-talk suppression >30dB over a 100nm span
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Defense Programs (DP)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 7616
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC--132974; YN0100000; 98-ERD-057; ON: DE00007616
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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