Optical pulse generator
US6101021A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 8, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/136
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
According to the present invention, damage to a photo-detector disposed in clock signal extractor by means of an optical pulse having an optical power exceeding a rated value is prevented. A ring resonator generates a repetitive, high-frequency optical pulse. Optical branching circuit branches a portion of the optical pulse circulating through ring resonator, while optical branching circuit further branches a portion thereof to protective device. Pumping source generates an excitation light for exciting a rare-earth doped optical fiber. Optical multiplexer couples the optical pulse branched by optical branching circuit, and the excitation light. Upon excitation by means of the excitation light, rare-earth doped optical fiber amplifies and emits the incoming optical pulse. The optical power of the excitation light is adjusted such that the output of rare-earth doped optical fiber reaches a saturation power. Optical switch blocks the incoming optical pulse during the time period when pumping source is not emitting an excitation light, and during a fixed time period following the emission of the excitation light. In this manner, the entry of an excessively large optical pulse exceedin…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.