Dynamic WDM equalizer using opto-VLSI beam processing

We demonstrate an efficient wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) equalizer structure that uses a reconfigurable opto-very large scale integrated processor to steer/reshape many optical beams simultaneously, thus, achieving channel-by-channel equalization. The opto-VLSI processor consists of an array of liquid crystal (LC) cells independently addressed by a VLSI circuit to generate a reconfigurable reflective digital hologram. More than 30-dB dynamic range is demonstrated with a proof-of-principle three-WDM-channel equalizer.