Abstract

Optical cross talks imposes a major limit to the practical implementation of multiwavelength optical cross-connect (multi- λ OXC) networks.^1-4 Optical cross talks in various multi-λ OXC node realizations may manifest themselves differently in terms of source, interference properties, and accumulation behaviors. On the basis of three general multi-λ OXC node schemes, two basic optical-cross-talk mechanisms, interband and intraband cross talks, generated by nonideal wavelength-channel (λ-channel) demultiplexing (DEMUX) and optical space switching, are established. With these elements and their properties clearly outlined, guidelines to component and network architecture design for minimizing cross-talk impairments can be derived.

© 1995 Optical Society of America