Milestone-Proposal talk:Silica-based arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) wavelength multi/demultiplexer

Advocates’ Checklist

1. Is proposal for an achievement rather than for a person? If the citation includes a person's name, have the proposers provided the required justification for inclusion of the person's name?
2. Was proposed achievement a significant advance rather than an incremental improvement to an existing technology?
3. Were there prior or contemporary achievements of a similar nature?
4. Has the achievement truly led to a functioning, useful, or marketable technology?
5. Is proposal adequately supported by significant references (minimum of five) such as patents, contemporary newspaper articles, journal articles, or citations to pages in scholarly books? At least one of the references from a peer-reviewed scholarly book or journal article. The full text of the material, not just the references, shall be present. If the supporting texts are copyright-encumbered and cannot be posted on the ETHW for intellectual property reasons, the proposers shall email a copy to the History Center so that it can be forwarded to the advocate. If the advocate does not consider the supporting references sufficient, the advocate may ask the proposer(s) for additional ones.
6. Are the scholarly references sufficiently recent?
7. Is proposed citation readable and understandable by the general public?
8. Does the proposed plaque site fulfill the requirements? Is the address complete? Are the GPS coordinates correct and in decimal format?
9. Is the proposal quality comparable to that of IEEE publications?
10. Scientific and technical units correct? (e.g. km, mm, hertz, etc.) Are acronyms correct and properly upperercased or lowercased?
11. Date formats correct as specified in Section 6 of Milestones Program Guidelines? https://ieeemilestones.ethw.org/Helpful_Hints_on_Citations,_Plaque_Locations
12. It is the advocate's responsibility to confirm that the independent reviewers have no conflict of interest (e.g. worked for a company or a team involved in the achievement being proposed, published with the proposer(s), or had a project related to the achievement funded). An example of a way to do this would be searching reviewers' publications on IEEE Xplore.

Independent Expert Reviewers’ Checklist

1. Is suggested wording of the Plaque Citation accurate?
2. Is evidence presented in the proposal of sufficient substance and accuracy to support the Plaque Citation?
3. Does proposed milestone represent a significant technical achievement?
4. Were there similar or competing achievements? If so, have the proposers adequately described these and their relationship to the achievement being proposed?

In answering the questions above, the History Committee asks that independent expert reviewers apply a similar level of rigor to that used to peer-review an article, or evaluate a research proposal. Some elaboration is desirable. Of course the Committee would welcome any additional observations that you may have regarding this proposal.

Submission and Approval Log

Submitted date: 1 February 2024
Advocate approval date:
History Committee approval date:
Board of Directors approval date:

Original Citation Title and Text -- Administrator4 (talk) 17:14, 3 April 2024 (UTC)

Silica-based arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) wavelength multi/demultiplexer, 1992-1996

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) invented the arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) wavelength multi/demultiplexer using silica-based planar lightwave circuit technology in 1992, and developed high-performance and highly reliable AWGs first commercialized by NTT Electronics Corp. and Photonic Integration Research Inc. in 1996. The silica-based AWGs have accelerated the expansion of transmission capacity and are now widely used in high-capacity WDM optical fiber networks worldwide.

Reviewer #1 Comments -- Sselleri (talk) 09:21, 10 July 2024 (UTC)

I enclose here the comments I received by the Anonymous Reviewer#1.

I believe they are helpful and that proposers might want to add the comparison suggested in point #4 with FBG to their proposal.

Stefano (Advocate)

1. Is suggested wording of the Plaque Citation accurate? Yes, the wording is technologically accurate. It exactly indicates the invention and commercialization years of the silica planar lightwave circuit (PLC)-based arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) by NTT, NEL, and PIRI. In addition, it adequately describes the impact of silica AWG contribution to the realization of high-capacity wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)-based photonic networks, which are widely used all around the world.

2. Is evidence presented in the proposal of sufficient substance and accuracy to support the Plaque Citation? The technical papers and patents are appropriately cited to show the importance and usefulness of the silica AWG [1]-[10]. They relate to not only the academically valuable basic configuration, characteristics, and designing of the silica AWG but also significant technology that further improved the AWG characteristics for the commercialization. The literatures [1], [3], [6], [8]-[10] clearly show the essence of the configuration and design method, and unique wavelength channel multi/demultiplexing characteristics regarding the silica AWG, and they have guided many subsequent researchers and engineers on the AWG. Other literatures [2], [4], [5], [7] proposed methods that eliminated polarization dependance of the silica AWG with polarization mode conversion. The polarization independence characteristics are indispensable for putting optical components to practical use in the photonic networks, and the proposed methods contributed considerably to the commercialization of the silica AWG. Some researchers of NTT surely received some prestigious awards [11]-[14] from an academic society, foundations, and the Japanese Minister of Education for their contribution to the invention and practical realization of the silica AWG.

3. Does proposed milestone represent a significant technical achievement? Yes, the silica AWG surely is a great achievement for our photonic network and device communities. The silica AWG is one of key components for the WDM photonic networks. The WDM is essential for increasing the capacity of the photonic networks and it employs tens or hundreds of wavelength channels. The optical multi/demultiplexer, which can deal with these large-scale wavelength channels and has substantial characteristics for the practical use, can only be achieved with the silica AWG. In addition, an optical add/drop multiplexer and an optical cross connect circuit can be realized by integrating the silica AWGs with optical switches. These devices are also widely utilized in the WDM photonic networks. I think that the silica AWG is the most successful photonic integrated circuit (PIC).

4. Were there similar or competing achievements? If so, have the proposers adequately described these and their relationship to the achievement being proposed? I think that a bulk-optic filter or a fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based multi/demultiplexer was a competing achievement. The bulk-optic filter-based multi/demultiplexer requires many discrete components that are accurately aligned each other. Therefore, as mentioned by the proposers, the size of the bulk-optic filter-based multi/demultiplexer becomes large and its scalability is limited. In addition, the bulk-optic filter-based multi/demultiplexer does not have enough tolerance to the disturbance including the mechanical vibration. Although the proposers do not refer to the FBG-based multi/demultiplexer, it also has similar problems to the bulk-optic filter-based multi/demultiplexer. The FBG-based multi/demultiplexer needs as many pairs of FBGs and optical circulators (bulk-optic components) as the wavelength channels. The reflection wavelength of the FBG is sensitive to the temperature fluctuation. The proposers adequately and explicitly explained why these problems could be resolved with the silica AWG.

Other Comments The silica AWG is also applied to research areas other than optical communications. Examples include a spectroscopic sensor and a spectrum synthesizer for optical frequency combs. The silica AWG have also triggered the investigation of a semiconductor or a silicon waveguide-based multi/demultiplexer.

Re: Reviewer #1 Comments -- Ryoichi Kasahara (talk) 08:25, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

Thank you very much for useful comments by Reviewer #1. Following your suggestion, we would like to revise our proposal as follows. Added a comparison with FBG-type to the proposal.

What obstacles (technical, political, geographic) needed to be overcome? Before the early 1990s, only a bulk-optic-type and a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) -type components were available as wavelength multi/demultiplexer for WDM. The bulk-optic-type component is composed of many optical devices, such as optical lens, diffraction gratings, wavelength selective filters and mirrors, arranged in the optical path. It was necessary to align each component with high accuracy of sub-microns. Therefore, when wavelength channel scale is increased, the component configuration becomes complicated with many optical devices and the characteristic stability is deteriorated. The FBG type component is constituted by cascade-connecting many pairs of FBG filters and optical circulators as many as wavelength channels. This leads large device size and complicated precise wavelength adjustment when the channel scale is increased. For these reasons, the wavelength channel scale of the bulk-optic-type and FBG-type multi/demultiplexers was limited up to about 10 channels, which was insufficient to fully utilize the ultra-wide bandwidth of the optical fiber of 100 channels or more. It was expected to realize an integrated wavelength multi/demultiplexer based on optical waveguides with large wavelength channel scale, excellent characteristics, high reliability, mass productivity and low cost for practical use in the commercial optical transmission systems. The optical waveguide fabrication technology was also insufficient to realize a high-performance integrated wavelength multi/demultiplexer that required highly accurate optical phase control and optical polarization control for waveguided lights. The improvement of the high-precision and defect-less optical waveguide processing technology was required.

Reviewer #2 Comments -- Sselleri (talk) 06:56, 28 August 2024 (UTC)

I enclose here the comments I received by the Anonymous Reviewer#2.

1. Is suggested wording of the Plaque Citation accurate?

Yes it is. The statement is considered correct and accurate for the following reasons: (Invention and Technology) NTT is credited with inventing the AWG wavelength multi/demultiplexer using silica-based planar lightwave circuit technology in 1992. This is well-documented in various sources. (Commercialization) The first high-performance and highly reliable AWGs were commercialized by NTT Electronics Corp. and Photonic Integration Research Inc. in 1996. This commercialization marked a significant milestone in making AWG technology available for practical applications in telecommunications. (Impact on Transmission Capacity) The silica-based AWGs developed by NTT have played a crucial role in accelerating the expansion of transmission capacity. They are now widely used in high-capacity wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) optical fiber networks worldwide, which is supported by numerous industry analyses and academic papers. I would suggest spelling out WDM in the citation.

2. Is evidence presented in the proposal of sufficient substance and accuracy to support the Plaque Citation?

Yes, it is. Here's how they support the citation: (Papers) 1. H. Takahashi, I. Nishi, and Y. Hibino (1992): This paper demonstrates the development of a 10 GHz spacing optical frequency division multiplexer based on AWG, highlighting NTT’s early work in this field. 2. H. Takahashi, Y. Hibino, and I. Nishi (1992): This paper discusses the creation of a polarization-insensitive AWG wavelength multiplexer on silicon, showcasing advancements in making AWGs more practical for real-world applications. 3. H. Takahashi and Y. Hibino (1992): This paper details the fabrication of AWG wavelength multiplexers using flame hydrolysis deposition, indicating NTT’s innovative manufacturing techniques. 4. Y. Inoue et al. (1994): This paper introduces a polarization mode converter with a polyimide half waveplate in silica-based planar lightwave circuits, further improving the performance and reliability of AWGs. 5. Y. Inoue et al. (1994): This paper presents a polarization-insensitive AWG multiplexer with a polyimide waveplate as a TE/TM mode converter, enhancing the versatility of AWGs. (Patents) 6. Japan Patent JPB 2599786: Covers the waveguide-type diffraction grating, a fundamental component of AWGs. 7. Japan Patent JPB 2614365: Describes a polarization-independent waveguide-type optical device, crucial for practical AWG applications. 8. Japan Patent JPB 3139571: Focuses on an optical multi/demultiplexer, directly related to AWG functionality. 9. Japan Patent JPB 3501235: Details a waveguide-type optical device, contributing to the development of AWG technology. 10. Japan Patent JPB 3369029: Specifically covers the arrayed-waveguide multi/demultiplexer, central to the statement. (Awards) 11. Achievement Award, IEICE (2012): Recognizes the study of AWG wavelength filters for WDM transmission, affirming the impact of NTT’s research. 12. Maejima Hisoka Award (2013): Acknowledges significant contributions to telecommunications, including AWG technology. 13. Awards for Science and Technology, Japan (2015): Honors the development of AWG wavelength multi/demultiplexers, highlighting NTT’s role. 14. The Rank Prize for Optoelectronics (2016): Celebrates the invention and practical implementation of AWGs, underscoring NTT’s pioneering work. These documents collectively demonstrate NTT’s pivotal role in inventing, developing, and commercializing AWG technology, supporting the citation's accuracy.

3. Does proposed milestone represent a significant technical achievement?

Yes, it does. The development and commercialization of AWG technology by NTT is indeed considered one of the significant technological achievements in the field of optical communications. These are the reasons: (Revolutionizing Optical Networks) AWGs have played a crucial role in the expansion of WDM systems, which are fundamental to modern high-capacity optical fiber networks. This technology allows a large number of wavelength channels to be transmitted simultaneously over a single optical fiber, significantly increasing the data transmission capacity. (Global Impact) The use of AWGs is not limited to a specific region; they are utilized worldwide in various optical communication systems. This global adoption underscores the importance and effectiveness of the technology. (Technological Innovation) The development of AWGs involved significant advancements in materials science, photonics, and manufacturing processes. These innovations have paved the way for further research and development in integrated optics and photonic circuits. While AWG technology may not be as universally recognized as some other technological breakthroughs (like the internet or smartphones), its impact on the telecommunications industry and its role in enabling the modern digital age make it a noteworthy achievement.

4. Were there similar or competing achievements? If so, have the proposers adequately described these and their relationship to the achievement being proposed?

Bulk-optic wavelength filters (including thin-film filters) and fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs), have been widely used in optical communication systems for wavelength multiplexing and demultiplexing. Thin-film filters are used in WDM systems to separate or combine different wavelengths. They offer high performance and are relatively easy to manufacture, but they can be bulky and less integratable compared to AWGs. FBGs are used for filtering specific wavelengths in optical fibers. They are compact and can be easily integrated into fiber optic systems. However, they may not offer the same level of integration and scalability as AWGs. AWGs are integrated photonic devices, which makes them more suitable for compact and scalable optical circuits. AWGs can handle multiple wavelengths with high precision and low crosstalk, making them ideal for high-capacity WDM systems. AWGs can be fabricated using planar lightwave circuit technology, allowing for mass production and integration with other photonic components. While bulk-optic wavelength filters and FBGs have their own advantages and are still used in various applications, AWGs offer superior integration and scalability, which are critical for modern high-capacity optical networks. This is properly mentioned in the proposal and in the additional comment to Reviewer #1.

Other comments

Prior to this invention in 1992, two key concepts underlying it were published by Smit (Electron. Lett. 1988, about the arrayed waveguide) and by Dragone (IEEE PTL 1991, about the star coupler). Their contributions to this invention could have been credited in the proposal

Sorry for my mistake. Please post again. -- Ryoichi Kasahara (talk) 02:07, 3 September 2024 (UTC)

Dear Advocator;

I'm sorry for my mistake. I accidentally deleted your comment about the revice of title and citation. Please post your comment again.

Re: Sorry for my mistake. Please post again. -- Sselleri (talk) 08:07, 3 September 2024 (UTC)

Dear Kashahara, I happened to me too the first time I used this wiki.

The title is too long

Silica-Based Arrayed-Waveguide Grating (AWG) Wavelength Multi/Demultiplexer, 1992-1996

Is 86 characters, IEEE warmly reccomentds a maximum of 70 characters for the title to avoid it splitting on two lines. I suggest

Silica-Based Arrayed-Waveguide Grating Multi/Demultiplexer, 1992-1996

Which counts 69 chars

Then your text currently reads

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) invented the arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) wavelength multi/demultiplexer using silica-based planar lightwave circuit technology in 1992, and developed high-performance and highly reliable AWGs first commercialized by NTT Electronics Corp. and Photonic Integration Research Inc. in 1996. The silica-based AWGs have accelerated the expansion of transmission capacity and are now widely used in high-capacity WDM optical fiber networks worldwide.

For IEEE guidelines it is improper to use wording in the present tense (as in "and are now") and so that is the reason for that change. Also, even though "WDM" only appears once, the acronym is well-recognized and so should be included.

My suggestion is hence

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) invented the arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) wavelength multi/demultiplexer using silica-based planar lightwave circuit technology in 1992, and developed high-performance and highly-reliable AWGs that were first commercialized by NTT Electronics Corp. and Photonic Integration Research Inc. in 1996. The silica-based AWGs have accelerated the expansion of transmission capacity which have been widely used in high-capacity wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical fiber networks worldwide.

Please note that these are my suggestions to help you in complying to IEEE guidelines, so you can reword title and citation as long as you stay in 70 chars and 70 words. In any case your proposal, once you amended it, will undergo a review in Milestone sub-commitee first and history commitee later so further changes could be requested to you.

Re: Re: Sorry for my mistake. Please post again. -- Ryoichi Kasahara (talk) 10:50, 3 September 2024 (UTC)

Thank you for your strong support. We agree with your helpful suggestions about the title and citation of our proposal.

Title

Silica-based arrayed-waveguide grating multi/demultiplexer, 1992-1996

Citation

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) invented the arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) wavelength multi/demultiplexer using silica-based planar lightwave circuit technology in 1992 and developed high-performance and highly-reliable AWGs that were first commercialized by NTT Electronics Corp. and Photonic Integration Research Inc. in 1996. The silica-based AWGs have accelerated the expansion of transmission capacity which have been widely used in high-capacity wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical fiber networks worldwide.

Re: Re: Re: Sorry for my mistake. Please post again. -- Sselleri (talk) 07:02, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

Please make the changes on the Milestone proposal main page, so as to be able to proceed.

Thanks

Re: Re: Re: Re: Sorry for my mistake. Please post again. -- Ryoichi Kasahara (talk) 07:00, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

I revised the main page of our proposal according to your useful advice.

Suggested changes to the citation, title, and background information -- Bberg (talk) 21:54, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Thank you for accepting my earlier suggested changes to the citation. However, I now suggest two more changes to ensure best reading, and for clarification. I highlight the areas of these changes in boldface here:

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) invented the arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) wavelength multi/demultiplexer using silica-based planar lightwave circuit technology in 1992 and developed high-performance and highly-reliable AWGs that were first commercialized by NTT Electronics Corp. and Photonic Integration Research Inc. in 1996. The silica-based AWGs have accelerated the expansion of transmission capacity which have been widely used in high-capacity wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical fiber networks worldwide.

The resulting new wording shown here keeps the word count at 67:

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) invented the arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) wavelength multi/demultiplexer using silica-based planar lightwave circuit technology in 1992, and then developed high-performance and highly-reliable AWGs that were first commercialized by NTT Electronics Corp. and Photonic Integration Research Inc. in 1996. The silica-based AWGs have been widely used in high-capacity wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical fiber networks, thereby accelerating the expansion of transmission capacity worldwide.

Also, since the citation uses the term "AWGs" and since this acronym is widely known and used, I suggest shortening the title from:

Silica-based arrayed-waveguide grating multi/demultiplexer, 1992-1996

to

Silica-based Arrayed-Waveguide Gratings, 1992-1996

Separately, I have provided your Advocate Stefano Selleri with suggested changes for the 3 background sections since each is currently one very long paragraph. Those changes are too lengthy to include here, but they break each section into a set of paragraphs, make some grammatical corrections, and suggest 2 slight changes to the wording which I feel are mandatory for accuracy.

Thank you. Brian Berg, Milestones Subcommittee Chair

Re: Suggested changes to the citation, title, and background information -- Ryoichi Kasahara (talk) 05:57, 20 September 2024 (UTC)

Dear Dr. Brian Berg;

Thank you for your great suggestions about changes of the title and citation of our proposal. We agree the changes of title and citation according to your suggestion. Please let me know if we should revise the milestone main page.

Re: Re: Suggested changes to the citation, title, and background information -- Bberg (talk) 16:54, 11 October 2024 (UTC)

Very good job. Thank you! Brian Berg