A Hybrid Integrated Optical WDM Transmitter/Receiver Module for Optical Subscriber Systems Utilizing a Planar Lightwave Circuit Platform

Abstract

Cost reduction is an essential requirement for optical modules for Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH). An optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transmitter/receiver module, which multi/demultiplexes 1.3/1.5 pm optical signals and transmits and receives 1.3 pm signals[l], is one of the key modules for a passive double star (PDS) network[2], and reducing its cost is a serious concern. A reduction in the number of module components is one of the key issues to obtaining an inexpensive WDM module. One promising way to achieve this is optical hybrid integration using a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) platform with a silica-on-terraced-silicon (STS) structure[3]. Since this platform can provide both a silica-PLC for WDM and silicon terraces for device assembly, the WDM module can be formed simply by flip-chip bonding optical devices such as laser diodes (LDs) or photodiodes (PDs) onto the platform. In this paper, we propose a simple configuration for a WDM optical module using a PLC platform and fabricate its prototype.