Tunable optical filters using compound ring resonators for DWDM

Abstract

The device is based on a loop mirror in a ring resonator. The loop mirror allows tuning by changing the coupling coefficient of a directional coupler. The loop mirror is implemented using a Sagnac configuration to have the same optical path between the signals to be interfered (copropagating and counterpropagating ones). The filter structure allows optical integration for having higher free-spectral ranges. Simple design equations for the filter parameters and the tuning are reported. Measurements on a passive optical fiber tunable filter are presented. There is a good agreement between measurements and theory.