Efficient Multiplexer/Demultiplexer for Visible WDM Transmission over SI-POF Technology

Abstract

A five channel step index plastic optical fiber proposal for a multiplexer/demultiplexer having insertion losses (IL) of 2.9-4 dB, pass bandwidths at -3 dB > 30 nm, crosstalk attenuation >30 dB and size of ∼65 mm × 55 mm, is demonstrated. It is based on a reflective diffraction grating with blazed profile and an aspheric lens. The theoretical analysis presented is used to further reduce the system size to ∼37 mm × 30 mm and to increase the number of channels to 8 keeping ILs < 4.5 dB. Experimental results have good agreement with theoretical expectations.