10 channel polymer variable optical attenuator array for power monitoring and equalization in integrated PLC ROADM module

A 10 channel polymer variable optical attenuator array (VOA), which is used for power monitoring and equalization in integrated planar lightwave circuit (iPLC) reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) module, is demonstrated. Maximum attenuation of about -41 dB was achieved at very low electrical power of 17 mW and insertion loss was within 0.7~0.9 dB for all channels. Polarization dependent loss for 20 dB attenuation was below 0.5 dB, and adjacent channel crosstalk was less than -40 dB.