Low noise Raman amplifier employing bidirectional pumping and an optical transmission system incorporating same
US6181464A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 1, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S2301/02
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus provides pump energy to an optical fiber located along an optical transmission path. The optical fiber imparts Raman amplification to an optical signal traveling therein when pumped at a pump wavelength. In accordance with the method, a first beam of pump energy is generated at the pump wavelength of the optical signal and a second beam of pump energy at a wavelength one Raman Stokes order below the pump wavelength. The first beam of pump energy is introduced to the optical fiber so that it contrapropagates with respect to the optical signal. The second beam of pump energy is introduced to the optical fiber so that it co-propagates with respect to the optical signal. The second beam of pump energy does not pump the signal (thus minimizing noise) but rather serves to pump the first pump beam by the production of Raman Stokes- shifted light.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.