Optical dynamic gain equalizer using parallel motion type of ELCIA

This paper proposes an optical dynamic gain equalizer (DGEQ) using parallel motion type of ECLIA (Electrostatic Controlled Linear Inchworm Actuator). A slider of ECLIA attenuates an intensity of an optical beam, so that parallel motions of arrayed sliders can control and equalize a spectrum of demultiplexed signals from a grating. A designed optical DGEQ takes the following advantages of ECLIA to provide gain flattening of spectral gain non-uniformities: Precise motion, Large stroke, Parallel motions of arrayed sliders. Through our experiments, ECLIA could attenuate about 20 dB in optical intensity when its slider traveled approximately 380 /spl mu/m. This paper presents a system design, system performances, and our current research progress toward integrated system.