Non-linear optical amplification
US5111153A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 1990 |
| Grant date | May 5, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/0601
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical amplifier having a saturable absorption region is operated below the lasing threshold for the device. Non-linear effects and bistability are observable at temperatures above room temperature. A selected input wavelength .lambda..sub.i within the gain spectrum of the device is amplified and an output at the same wavelength .lambda..sub.i is produced. This is in contrast to the normal operation at threshold, where there is a wavelength shift to the lasing wavelength and, depending on the laser used for the naturable absorption device, the output may be multimode for a monomode input. Best gain is achieved by tuning the input wavelength to a peak of a Fabry-Perot mode in the gain spectrum for the amplifier. The amplifier may be used as wavelength controlled optical switch, when operated bistably, or as a regenerative amplifier when operated in the non-linear region without hysteresis effects.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.