Simple model of errors in chirped fiber gratings

A simple etalon based model is presented to show the origin of the wavelength-dependent ripples in the group delay and phase, and in the intensity of optical signals reflected from chirped fiber gratings. The simplicity of the model allows intuitive understanding of the effects, and quantitative predictions. We derive accurate scaling laws that allow the experimenter to make quantitative connections between the grating writing process parameters and grating performance.