title: Echelon grating multiplexers for hierarchically multiplexed fiber-optic communication networks.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Dyes
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahapatra