Ultra-compact 32-channel drop filter with 100 GHz spacing

We demonstrated 32-channel drop filters with 100 GHz spacing consisting of arrayed nanocavities and a waveguide in a photonic crystal silicon slab. Changing the lattice constant of the nanocavities on the subnanometer scale successfully controlled the drop wavelengths at 100 GHz spacing in the wavelength range between 1510 and 1550 nm. The device size was as small as 15 μm × 270 μm, and the variation in drop wavelengths was less than 0.3 nm in terms of standard deviation. We also present a movie showing the operation of the drop filter, demonstrating that the arrayed nanocavities have the potential for developing ultracompact 100 GHz spaced filters in a dense wavelength division multiplexing system.