Abstract
In this paper we report the implementation of fiber Bragg gratings with variable negative mean refractive index perturbation, in a highly germanium-doped fiber, resultant from a type IIa exposition regime. The obtained grating presents a favorable group delay characteristic for dispersion compensation applications with reduced bandwidth.

Abstract
We propose and demonstrate an architecture of a 2 x 2 port optical cross-connect (OXC) using tuneable fibre Bragg gratings and optical circulators. The proposed OXC is scalable to N x N ports owing to the cascadability of individual routing modules, which perform routing of specific wavelength channels. The performance of the cross-connect is also experimentally evaluated.

Abstract
In this paper, we present a continuous-wave tunable fibre ring laser operating in the L-band. A bi-directional pumped L-band erbium-doped fibre amplifier provides gain to the loop. Tunability is achieved by bending a single-mode fibre taper using a micrometer drive, controlling in this way the spectral cavity losses. Laser emission is achieved between 1587 and 1606 nm, and low variation of the output laser power is observed over all the tuning range.

Abstract
A new scheme based on four-wave mixing is presented using a ring erbium-doped fibre laser and tuneable fibre Bragg gratings that can effectively perform wavelength conversion in a wide wavelength range. An application of this wavelength-conversion architecture to optical communications is also presented.

Abstract
Two different architectures of multiplexers/demultiplexers based on 4 x 1 and 1 x 4 configurations are discussed. These architectures are implemented using apodized fibre Bragg gratings as optical filters and optical circulators. The spectral characteristics of the devices for channel separations of 100 GHz and 50 GHz are analysed and their performance is evaluated. Optical switch and cross-connect configurations are also demonstrated.

Abstract
Definition of channel waveguides on hybrid sol-gel material was demonstrated using a 248 nm UV excimer laser. without mixing organic photoinitiators in the solution preparation step. Thin films fabricated by hydrolysis and polycondensation of methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MAPTMS) doped with zirconium oxide were deposited by spin-coating on soda-lime glass substrates (n=1.514). Channel waveguides were defined by microlithography and then covered by a protective layer composed of a combination of MAPTMS and tetramethoxysilane (TMOS). Finally, after cutting and polishing, the waveguides were optically characterised.