DWDM Filters for High Efficiency Optical Communication

Dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) is dramatically increasing the bandwidth on telecommunications networks and will have a direct impact on internet-based communication architecture for data delivery from NASA near-earth platforms. The optical demultiplexers in DWDM systems rely on complex interference filters to transmit a very narrow wavelength region while reflecting the larger out of band region. We propose a filter fabrication approach that uses DC magnetron sources, a unique optical coating chamber configuration, very efficient filter designs, and, most importantly,an innovative insitu optical monitor. The result will be the capability to fabricate low cost, high performance DWDM filters, both as single filters and spatially variable filters.