Capella Teams with Boston University to Investigate the Practical Use of Quantum Photonics in ROADM Based Networks

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Capella, the leading provider of wavelength selective switch (WSS) technologies for use in reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) and optical cross connects, has today announced the successful completion of a demonstration of quantum photonic techniques to evaluate the Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) of complex optical devices. Capella’s CRx WSS product platform served as an ideal test device for measurement of PMD during the demonstration due to the extremely low PMD of Capella’s CRx product. The demonstration, using quantum interferometry with broadband polarization-entangled states, is the culmination of research work completed by Boston University’s Quantum Communication and Measurement Laboratory (QCML) led by Professor Alexander Sergienko and funded by Capella. This research highlights the high-resolution measurements made possible by quantum photonic techniques and validates the benefit of collaboration between industry leaders, such as Capella, and university research teams.

“The Company has a long and successful history of providing leadership and fostering the advancement of optical networking using ROADM and WSS technology. The performance of our CR50 solution during this test event exceeded our expectations.”

The need for high-resolution dispersion measurements is increasing with current trends in high-speed fiber optic networks. With the increasing number of optical switches and other optical components in the transmission path, the cumulative PMD of components is becoming comparable to the PMD introduced in the fiber. While coherent receivers are more tolerant of PMD, the performance penalty of PMD can still be significant as transmission bit rates increase. The evaluation of dispersion parameters from component devices is critical for managing overall system performance.

"Capella's participation plays an important role in the success of this research into optical measurements for future network integrity," said Larry Schwerin, Capella’s CEO. "The Company has a long and successful history of providing leadership and fostering the advancement of optical networking using ROADM and WSS technology. The performance of our CR50 solution during this test event exceeded our expectations."

“Our team approached Capella with this project because of their team’s capability to take the research results to product deployment in field,” said Roman Egorov, Ph.D. candidate at Boston University. “Developments of this type are needed in the long term to meet future technology demands for ROADM based optical transport networks.

About Capella Intelligent Subsystems

Capella is the industry leader of wavelength selective switch (WSS) technology for use in reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADM) and optical cross connect (OXC) applications. Capella's patented CRx® and WavePath® products provide the best performing WSS on the market offering dynamic, remote reconfigurability with fully integrated optical channel monitoring (OCM) for simplifying network operations and planning, while dramatically reducing costs. Capella's products are used in both metro and long haul applications. Founded in 2000, Capella is a privately held company located in San Jose, California. For more information, go to: www.capellainc.com or follow us on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/capellaphotonic.