Fiber-optic matched filters with metal films deposited on fiber delay-line ends for optical packet address detection

Abstract

We fabricated compact fiber-optic matched filters by directly depositing metal thin films on fiber delay-line ends. Average reflectance of the metal film was measured to be 88% in the wavelength region of 1400-1600 nm. Detection of 10 Gb/s, 8-b optical packet addresses has been successfully demonstrated using the matched filters composed of four metal-coated fiber delay lines and three fused biconically tapered fiber couplers. Experimental results on correlation outputs of the matched filters showed an excellent agreement with those of theoretical analyzes.