Guiding filters for massive wavelength division multiplexing in soliton transmission

In soliton transmission, third-order dispersion of the transmission fibers tends to cause unacceptable variation in the filter strength parameter eta over the wide wavelength bands required for massive wavelength division multiplexing. We show how to vary the mirror reflectivities of etalon filters with wavelength, such that eta , in soliton units, nevertheless remains at the optimal value across the entire transmission band, and we show how to achieve the required R(lambda) accurately and reproducibly by making the etalons from gratings written in fiber.