Fast 100-channel wavelength selectors integrated on silicon

We present the design, fabrication and characterisation of wavelength selectors integrated on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) chips. The devices are able to select one out of 100 or 110 wavelength channels, that could each be modulated at 10 Gb/s. This represents an aggregate input data rate of 1 Tb/s. Wavelength selection is based on successive arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) and semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) arrays hybrid integrated on SOI. The passed wavelength channel is coupled to a hybrid integrated photodiode. The sub-ns response time of the SOAs enables very fast wavelength selection that can be exploited in various communication applications.