A method for designing interleave filters based on the theory of planar lightwave circuit synthesis

An interleave filter doubles the transmission capacity of DWDM systems by k nitting two sets of WDM signals together. We have developed a method for de signing interleave filters based on the theory of planar lightwave circuit (PLC) synthesis. Using this design method and PLC fabrication techniques, w e fabricated interleave filters with a 200-GHz channel spacing. The method was shown to be valid by the good agreement between the experimental values and designed properties of the fabricated filters. Interleave filters have the potential for application to such devices as four channel multi/demult iplexing filters with three integrated interleave filters and WDM filters c omposed of an interleave filter and AWGs.