Digitally controlled fault-tolerant multiwavelength programmable fiber-optic attenuator using a two-dimensional digital micromirror device

    Authors

    N. A. Riza;S. Sumriddetchkajorn

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Opt. Lett.

    Keywords

    GAIN EQUALIZATION; AMPLIFIERS; Optics

    Abstract

    A digitally controlled multiwavelength variable fiber-optic attenuator using a two-dimensional digital micromirror device (DMD) is introduced. The results from an experimental four-wavelength (i.e., 1546.92, 1548.52, 1550.12, and 1551.72 nm) proof-of-concept attenuator indicate a 26-dB dynamic range and 11-bit resolution. The measured attenuator average coherent optical cross talk per wavelength channel is -38 dB, limited by the additive noise resulting from the nonideal isolation of the optical circulator and the attenuator module. The average optical loss for our experimental attenuator is 15 dB and is limited mainly by the visible-mode DMD that is used as a 1550-nm infrared window device. Our theoretical estimate of a <8-dB loss optimized attenuator can be used for equalization in multiwavelength fiber-optic communications with as many as 108 wavelengths. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America.

    Journal Title

    Optics Letters

    Volume

    24

    Issue/Number

    5

    Publication Date

    1-1-1999

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    282

    Last Page

    284

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000078973600004

    ISSN

    0146-9592

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