An integrated reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer based on using an opto-VLSI processor and a 4-f imaging system

Abstract

A novel integrated reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) structure is proposed and demonstrated experimentally. The ROADM employs an interface substrate that enables the integration of a fiber-lens collimator array and an Opto-VLSI processor to realise a 4-f imaging system through optical beam steering. Phase hologram optimization of the Opto-VLSI processor is investigated, for maximizing the number of wavelength channels while keeping adequate insertion loss and crosstalk levels. Experimental results are shown, which demonstrate a broadband operation and the principle of the ROADM with crosstalk of less than −30.5 dB and insertion loss of less than 6 dB for the drop and through operation modes.