Sensitized erbium fiber optical amplifier and source
US5225925A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/094003
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical fiber for amplifying or sourcing a light signal in a single transverse mode. The fiber comprises a host glass doped with erbium (Er) and a sensitizer such as ytterbium (Yb) or iron (Fe). Preferably the host glass is doped silicic glass (e.g., phosphate or borate doped). Electrical energy is provided to diode lasers that pump the Nd laser rod, which in turn pumps the fiber. Such a configuration for pumping the fiber provides a high energy transfer from the diodes to the Nd laser rod, which in turn enables high pumping powers to be coupled into the single-mode co-doped fiber. Based on the amplification characteristics of the co-doped fiber and the efficient coupling of power from the laser diodes, the amplifier provides power and small signal gains comparable to the best observed, while requiring only conventional and readily available diode-based pump sources.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.