All-optical tunable filters built with discontinuity-assisted ring resonators

Numerically simulated performance is presented in a new type of bandstop and bandpass filters, built with discontinuity-assisted ring resonator (DARR)-loaded couplers. The operating characteristic of the bandpass filter is similar to that of a long grating with a centered cavity or a photonic crystal with a defect. The filters are tuned by varying the refractive index or the length of the waveguide forming the ring or the cavity. Selectivity and tuning range are controlled by the coupling coefficient of the couplers, by the order of resonance in the rings, and by the reflection coefficient of the discontinuities. A design procedure and the effect of loss are also presented.