4-Port polarization-independent wavelength-interleaving bidirectional circulator

Abstract

This study develops an alternative type of 4-port polarization-independent wavelength-interleaving bidirectional circulator. In this circulator the even- and odd-channels circulate with opposite handedness regardless of the state of polarization of signals. It has a pair of orthogonal holographic spatial- and polarization modules (HSPMs) and a Lyot-Ohman filter (LOF). Each HSPM has two holographic spatial walk-off polarizers (HSWPs), two glass plates and two half-wave plates. The function of the HSWJP is firstly described. Next, the structures and the operating principles of the HSPM and the LOF are also described. Then, the operating principle and the performance of this circulator are discussed. It has such merits as polarization-independence, compactness, high isolation, lack of polarization mode dispersion and ease of fabrication. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.