Echelon grating multiplexers for hierarchically multiplexed fiber-optic communication networks

Echelon gratings have many beneficial properties when used as the dispersing mechanism of a fiber-optic wavelength multiplexer including high optical dispersion, high optical efficiency, greatly reduced sensitivity to polarization, simultaneous utility on many wavelength bands, and a capability for hierarchical multiplexing. The use of echelon multiplexers in a hierarchical environment is discussed, and a prototype echelon multiplexer is constructed and used to demonstrate the unique capabilities of this device for creating wavelength division multiplexing systems.