Oplink Communications Inc., designer and manufacturer of optical components and subsystems, has announced the initial shipment of its Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter (AOTF) products for use in a next-generation optical network application to be announced later this year.
Oplink acquired the Acousto-Optic (AO) technology through its acquisition last year of Aurora Photonics. AOTF products can utilize various mediums such as crystals, fibers, and waveguides in which acoustic waves at radio frequencies (RF) are used to selectively separate a single wavelength of light at extremely fast tuning speeds from a broadband multicolor source, without additional de-multiplexing, explain company representatives. The wavelength of light selected is determined by the frequency of the RF applied. The wavelength is tuned by varying the frequency of the RF.
AOTF products offer cost and functionality advantages over competing tunable technologies, claims Oplink. These high-speed remotely tunable filters enable dynamic bandwidth allocation, remote provisioning, and switching for both system and network service cost reductions.
Dr. I.C. Chang, Oplink's vice president of advanced AO technology, pioneered AO technology and the development of the first series of commercial AO products through Aurora Photonics.
For more information about Oplink Communications Inc., headquartered in San Jose, visit the company's Web site at www.oplink.com.