Ultrafast Optical Word Generator

In optical fiber communication systems, the Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG) is commonly used to multiplex or demultiplex wavelength channels. Current optical technologies have difficulty in integrating device components with a high speed optoelectronic modulator in a simple, cost effective, and manufacturable configuration.

Purdue University researchers have developed a novel optical communications system that is capable of multiplexing multiple, parallel electronic data streams onto a very high speed optical data channel.

Advantages:

-Provides direct optical access to the individual guides in the waveguide array

-Scalable to higher or lower channel rates

-Pulse spacing as small as one picosecond have been demonstrated

Potential Applications:

-Computing

-Optics

TRL: 3

Intellectual Property:

Keywords: Optical fiber communication, Arrayed Waveguide Grating, AWG, wavelength channels, multiplexing, demultiplexing, optoelectronic modulator, optical communications system, optical data channel, waveguide array, Communications and Computing, Electrical Engineering, optical technologies, Optics, Optoelectronics, Waveguide