The nature of spurious mode suppression in extended FSR microring multiplexers

A systematic approach to the design of extended free spectral range (FSR) series coupled microring multiplexers is described. The aim is to achieve large extension ratios and adequate suppression of the spurious interstitial modes, while moderating radiation enhancing ring diameter reduction as much as possible. Computer simulated results of the transmission and group delay characteristics are presented together with a universal plot for spurious mode suppression vs. relative ring diameter reduction. The significance of closely spaced twin resonances in the extended stopband is recognized. The effect of loss on filter performance, in the passband and in the extended stopband, is also briefly discussed.