PENNINGTON, N.J. -- PD-LD, Inc., a leading manufacturer of active fiber optics components, announces a XENPACK Compatible Integrated CWDM Module Based on Volume Bragg Gratings Technology. Volume Bragg Gratings (VBG) are a proprietary technology, recently introduced by PD-LD, Inc. from Pennington, New Jersey. Volume Bragg gratings are created within photo refractive glasses, which undergo a significant and permanent change in index of refraction in areas exposed to UV light. These characteristics can be utilized for direct writing of wavelength-specific volume grating upon which many photonic devices, such as multiplexers/demultiplexers, optical add-drop modules, channel monitors, etc. are based. In difference with the well known Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG), the VBG technology allow free space operation, thus freeing the component designer from the constrains of fiber geometry, resulting in simpler, lower cost devices. VBGs can be used in transmission or reflection, thus greatly simplifying device packaging procedures. The first product based on VBGs is a CWDM transmitter module integrating 4 DFB lasers with a compact multiplexer in a unit designed to fit into a XENPAK multisourced transceiver package. The optical performance of the CWDM transmitter is designed to comply with the IEEE 802.3ae standard, specified for the 10 Gbit Ethernet transceivers operating over 300m to 10km link distances. PD-LD, Inc. will be demonstrating higher power prototypes in Anaheim, CA from March 19-21 at OFC, 2002. The demonstration will feature CWDM transmitter modules that can be operated over distances well exceeding 50km over existing single mode optical fiber. By applying novel design techniques and incorporating readily available DFB semiconductor laser diodes, PD-LD can offer-Integrated modules that are amenable to high volume, low cost production methods. PD-LD Inc.