Integrated-optical analogue of Michelson echelon: Properties and applications

The operation of a device for wavelength-division-multiplexing and demultiplexing of optical signals, which can be considered as an integrated-optical analogue of a Michelson echelon, is analysed. It is shown that the performance characteristics of the device are determined by its structural parameters and can be calculated beforehand. It is pointed out that the order m of light diffraction and the number N of channel waveguides, which form a dispersive element, play a primary role. Several practical examples show that the symmetry of the device for wavelength-division-multiplexer — demultiplexer of communication channels relative to its input and output determines multiple functions of this device. Three new possibilities of using the integrated-optical analogue of the echelon are presented. In particular, one of them concerns a system for collecting and processing data in an optical line that connects successively an array of fibreoptic sensors with Bragg gratings.