Optical amplifier for wide band raman amplification of wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal lights
US6510000B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S2301/06
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A Raman amplifier providing a wideband gain for use in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical communication system. In one embodiment, a first optical amplifier Raman amplifies a wavelength division multiplexed signal light in both a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band in accordance with a plurality of excitation (pumping) lights provided to the first optical amplifier, the first and second wavelength bands being different from each other. A divider divides the amplified signal light into first and second lights in the first and second wavelength bands, respectively. A second optical amplifier amplifies the first light and has a gain band in the first wavelength band. The third optical amplifier amplifies the second light and has a gain in the second wavelength band. In various embodiments, a gain equalizer and/or an optical isolator is used in combination with the first optical amplifier providing the Raman amplification. A controller is also provided to control the excitation lights provided to the first optical amplifier to achieve specific effects.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.