Tunable polymer double micro-ring filters

Based on the vernier effect, widely tunable polymer double micro-ring filters using the thermooptic effect or the electrooptic effect are demonstrated. A tuning enhancement factor of 40 was achieved at wavelengths near 1550 nm. The tuning rate for the thermooptic device is 120 GHz/mW and for the electrooptic device is 120 GHz/12 V. A tunable laser with a side-mode suppression ratio greater than 30 dB was demonstrated using this filter and erbium-doped fiber amplifier gain. Thermal tuning over 35 nm was achieved.