Chromatic dispersion analysis and partially compensation for tunable liquid crystal optical interleaver

Abstract

Flattop liquid crystal tunable optical interleavers have shown a great potential to perform in the DWDM systems. In this paper, chromatic dispersion analyses are conducted for a flattop liquid crystal tunable optical interleaver based on Combined Michelson and Gires-Tournois interferometers. In order to try to reduce the dispersion associated with the interleaver's operation, tuning capability of the liquid crystal is used to tune the chromatic dispersion spectrum. Simulation results show a 66.5% reduction in the chromatic dispersion for the simulated interleaver configuration when compared to the air filled cavities in the interleaver. This reduction is achieved without any additional components or design modifications but only with the tuning capability of the liquid crystal. Moreover, the chromatic dispersion spectrum can be tuned. This provides more freedom for designers to try to minimize the chromatic dispersion effects on the system performance.