Optical wavelength shifter with reduced gain recovery time
US5450229A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/509
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for wavelength shifting an intensity-modulated optical signal are provided. The present invention utilizes an intensity-modulated first optical signal at a first wavelength, a second optical signal at a second wavelength and an optical amplifier with a gain which varies with the intensity modulation of the first optical signal. The optical amplifier receives and amplifies the first and second signals such that variations in the intensity modulation of the first optical signal alter the optical amplifier gain, producing an amplified second optical signal with corresponding intensity variations. In accordance with the invention the power level of the second optical signal is adjusted to reduce the amplifier gain recovery time and thereby reduce the rise time of the intensity variations of the amplified second optical signal. Optical wavelength shifting by amplifier gain compression is thereby made possible at bit rates of 10 Gbits/sec or higher.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.