Ultra-High-Speed Photonic Add-Drop Multiplexers for Wave-Division=Multiplexed Networking

50999-98-I Ultra-High-Speed Photonic Add-Drop Multiplexers for Wave-Division=Multiplexed Networking--Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems, 1778 Fordham Way, Mountain View, CA 94040-3662; (650) 967-4107 Dr. Behzad Moslehi, Principal Investigator Dr. Behzad Moslehi, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82599 Amount: $74,986 Add-Drop Multiplexers (ADMs) are crucial for self-routing of signals in future advanced, multi-wavelength, optical communication and sensor networks. However, present designs, such as arrayed waveguide grating router and commercial grating filters, are costly, passive, and have high losses. Tuning to different wavelength channels is difficult to implement and low-speed, e.g., acousto-optic, tunable filters suffer from cross-talk, insertion loss, resolution and cost problems which make them unsuitable as high performance active ADMs. This project will develop a new approach for in-line, all-fiber, compact, low-cost ADMs for selecting, adding, dropping and switching of wavelength channels in multi-wavelength systems. This ADM combines three processes, each of which selectively changes fiber properties. The result is a device with ultra-fast operation, high-selectivity, and low-loss, a combination of features not previously available. Phase I will: (1) expand upon preliminary modeling to optimize the ADM design for networking, (2) fabricate, characterize and integrate the building-blocks for an active 4-port ADM, (3) construct an electro-optically controlled feasibility prototype ADM and characterize its wavelength selectivity, tunability and speed. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The proposed all-fiber active 4-port ADMs, along with passive versions and other spin-off products, have significant market potential in communications (including internet) and sensors. For example, the market for multi-wavelength communications systems is forecast to reach $4.4 billion by 2001, of which 15% is expected to be for ADMs. Commercially available 4-port ADMs are expensive and limited to passive devices and to a few vendors. Devices developed under this project would be low-cost with full fiber-optic compatibility, avoiding pigtailing and circulators._