Arrayed waveguide gratings for wavelength routing

Wavelength routing can be performed in the optical domain for both long-haul and passive optical networks. Arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) can perform wavelength routing for a large number of optical channels and provide a high level of functionality on an integrated chip. The AWG guides light on a planar lightwave circuit into an array of waveguides that provide dispersion to separate the different wavelengths of light. Routing functions can be performed on individual wavelengths. With this technology, optical cross-connects, optical add/drop multiplexers, and passive optical routers have been demonstrated. Performance issues-such as insertion loss, polarization dependence, passband shape, passband position, crosstalk, and temperature dependence-are being addressed so that AWGs will be practical for deployment into systems.