Progress in AWG design and technology

Abstract

Arrayed waveguide gratings have found wide application in WDM links and networks. However, their major application in photonic integrated circuits still has to come. Key issues for a broad application of AWG's in photonic integrated circuits are small device dimensions in combination with a good performance and their potential for integration with semiconductor optical amplifiers and high speed modulators. The road to such a broad application of arrayed waveguide gratings is discussed.