Low-loss optical add drop multiplexer module using a <inline-formula><math display="inline" overflow="scroll"><mn>2</mn><mo>×</mo><mn>2</mn></math></inline-formula> port optical device

Abstract

We describe the fabrication of a 232 port optical device based on a thin film filter, and also newly propose a 4-channel optical add drop multiplexer (OADM) module us- ing these devices. The optical performance of the proposed OADM module is evaluated theoretically and experimentally, and compared to that of the typical OADM modules using 132 port optical devices for 4, 8, 16, and 32 drop channels. Since the 232 port optical device accomplishes the function of wavelength multiplexing and demultiplexing simulta- neously in the proposed OADM module, the insertion loss of through channels can be improved by 1.2 dB compared with that of a typical OADM module using 132 port optical de- vices. In addition, both the size and price of the module can be reduced by ;40 to 50%. © 2003 Society of Photo-Optical Instru-