Open AccessSilicon photonic dynamic optical channel leveler with external feedback loop
Author(s) -
J. K. Doylend,
P. E. Jessop,
Andrew P. Knights
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.18.013805
Subject(s) - photodiode , dynamic range , optical attenuator , optical power , optics , materials science , silicon photonics , photonics , optoelectronics , photonic integrated circuit , channel (broadcasting) , attenuator (electronics) , physics , optical fiber , computer science , multi mode optical fiber , telecommunications , attenuation , laser
We demonstrate a dynamic optical channel leveler composed of a variable optical attenuator (VOA) integrated monolithically with a defect-mediated photodiode in a silicon photonic waveguide device. An external feedback loop mimics an analog circuit such that the photodiode directly controls the VOA to provide blind channel leveling within +/-1 dB across a 7-10 dB dynamic range for wavelengths from 1530 nm to 1570 nm. The device consumes approximately 50 mW electrical power and occupies a 6 mm x 0.1 mm footprint per channel. Dynamic leveling is accomplished without tapping optical power from the output path to the photodiode and thus the loss penalty is minimized.