Importance

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Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a system for compensating for the detrimental effects of all-order polarization mode dispersion. The system includes a broadband polarization correction module cascaded with a broadband phase correction module. Each of the modules includes an AWG chip as a wavelength dispersing element, as opposed to a bulk optic grating. Thus, aligning the optical components used to separate light beams of different wavelengths within the system is simpler, and the size of the overall system is reduced. Further, the AWG chip may be more easily aligned with the other optical components within the system, with the alignment being more robust, both mechanically and thermally, relative to prior art systems that include bulk optics. Since AWG chips may be fabricated using well-known fabrication techniques, overall manufacturability is also improved and costs are reduced.

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First Claim