Title :
Optical MEMS for Lightwave Communication
Author :
Wu, Ming C. ; Solgaard, Olav ; Ford, Joseph E.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. Eng. & Comput. Sci., California Univ., Berkeley, CA
Abstract :
The intensive investment in optical microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) in the last decade has led to many successful components that satisfy the requirements of lightwave communication networks. In this paper, we review the current state of the art of MEMS devices and subsystems for lightwave communication applications. Depending on the design, these components can either be broadband (wavelength independent) or wavelength selective. Broadband devices include optical switches, crossconnects, optical attenuators, and data modulators, while wavelength-selective components encompass wavelength add/drop multiplexers, wavelength-selective switches and crossconnects, spectral equalizers, dispersion compensators, spectrometers, and tunable lasers. Integration of MEMS and planar lightwave circuits, microresonators, and photonic crystals could lead to further reduction in size and cost
Keywords :
integrated optics; integrated optoelectronics; micro-optomechanical devices; microcavities; multiplexing equipment; optical attenuators; optical communication equipment; optical fibre networks; optical interconnections; optical modulation; optical switches; photonic crystals; broadband devices; data modulators; dispersion compensators; lightwave communication; lightwave communication networks; microresonators; optical attenuators; optical crossconnects; optical integration; optical microelectromechanical systems; optical switches; photonic crystals; planar lightwave circuits; spectral equalizers; spectrometers; tunable lasers; wavelength add-drop multiplexers; wavelength-selective components; wavelength-selective switches; Communication networks; Investments; Microelectromechanical devices; Microelectromechanical systems; Micromechanical devices; Optical add-drop multiplexers; Optical attenuators; Optical devices; Optical fiber networks; Optical switches; Microelectromechanical devices; optical fiber communication; optical signal processing; optical switches;
Journal_Title :
Lightwave Technology, Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/JLT.2006.886405