Apodized fiber Bragg gratings for DWDM applications using uniform phase mask

Apodized fiber Bragg gratings are written using a simple, uniform unapodized phase mask and two spatial intensity shaping filters and single exposure. Sidelobe suppression of 25 dB was observed 50 GHz from the center band. We present a novel approach to fabricating apodized gratings with constant average index that retains all the advantages of an apodized gratings, but is accomplished in a much simpler manner. Moreover the method is very easy to implement, lends itself easily to different apodizations with a very minimal expense and is readily expanded to any existing phase mask