title: Silicon photonic dynamic optical channel leveler with external feedback loop.
abstract: We demonstrate a dynamic optical channel leveler composed of a variable optical attenuator (VOA) integrated monolithically with a defect-mediated photodiode in a silicon photonic waveguide device. An external feedback loop mimics an analog circuit such that the photodiode directly controls the VOA to provide blind channel leveling within +/-1 dB across a 7-10 dB dynamic range for wavelengths from 1530 nm to 1570 nm. The device consumes approximately 50 mW electrical power and occupies a 6 mm x 0.1 mm footprint per channel. Dynamic leveling is accomplished without tapping optical power from the output path to the photodiode and thus the loss penalty is minimized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. doylenjk@mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Doylend
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Jessop
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Knights
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D004581:Electronics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005246:Feedback; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D007368:Interferometry; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D055100:Optical Fibers; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D012825:Silicon
chemical_list: D012825:Silicon