Abstract

Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) techniques are considered an attractive technology option for building a flexible optical network layer.^1,2 In a multiwavelength optical network, the lightwave signal passes through a number of concatenated components, such as WDM multiplexers, demultiplexers, ED-FAs, and noise-limiting optical bandpass filters, all of which can serve as optical filters. The concatenation of optical filters makes the network susceptible to filter passband misalignments arising from device imperfections, temperature variations, and aging. Laser arrays are considered attractive light sources for use in multiwavelength optical networks.³ However, array technology provides less control of the laser wavelengths, relative to the effective center frequency of the concatenated optical filters, than discrete single-channel devices. Performance degradation in multiwavelength optical networks systems may arise due to the combined effects of optical filter misalignments, laser misalignment, and laser chirp.

© 1996 Optical Society of America