| Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) technology is emerging in response to the rapid increase of bandwidth and capacity requirements in communication systems and networks. In recent years, high performance and sophisticated photonic devices have been developed to meet WDM system requirements. The components based on phased-array waveguide gratings (PAWG) represent one of the key enabling technologies for WDM systems.; This dissertation studied the principles, unique characteristics and system-related pertinent issues of PAWG-based WDM components. Modeling and design were performed to provide optimized PAWG device structures. High performance silica-on-silicon PAWG multi/demultiplexers were demonstrated with precise channel wavelength control, low insertion loss, low crosstalk and flat top passband. Full-wafer device performance and uniformity were studied statistically.; A novel dual-channel-spacing PAWG multi/demultiplexer was designed and demonstrated to meet the current WDM system channel spacing requirements. A new device structure, a hybrid PAWG, was proposed for the first time and its feasibility was experimentally demonstrated.; Furthermore, several applications of PAWG components were developed for WDM systems. A compact, paired PAWG with a new wavelength comb self-alignment function was proposed and demonstrated to provide standardized and precise channel wavelength alignment. The supervisory channel wavelength was incorporated in PAWG devices for future network management. A novel reflected-type wavelength add/drop multiplexer and wavelength cross-connect switch were proposed. |
