Ultra compact spectral slicer devices based on microring resonators

In Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), access network spectral slicer devices in connection with a broadband light source are attracting low-cost alternatives for the laser diodes that are required for transmission in the desired wavelength channels. The proposed ultra-compact spectral slicer devices consist of microring resonators with slightly different radius and consequently slightly different resonant wavelength. Single and cascaded multiple microring devices have been fabricated and characterized to demonstrate the desired functionality. Cascaded devices show better performance in term of lower crosstalk, higher rejection ratio and faster roll-off. Moreover, they open the possibility to improve the spectral efficiency of the individual channels without introducing additional channel crosstalk.