Feature

Monolithic InP Grating-Based Wavelength Division Multiplexing Components

J.B.D.Soole and A.Scherer

The past year saw breakthroughs in a new component technology that promises to provide wavelength-specific devices for future wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) networks that have a high degree of wavelength control and a low manufacturing cost. To date, one of the greatest challenges facing implementation of proposed WDM networks is the practical realization of low-cost wavelength-specific opto-electronic components (lasers, detectors, etc.) that possess and maintain the wavelength accuracy needed for effective network operation. While many components are available or under development, there is no technology that provides these devices with the required wavelength accuracy, tolerance, and stability at low enough cost to make many of the networks commercially viable.