Sources of, and methods for generating, optical pulses
US6813429B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S2301/085
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A source of optical pulses, comprises an optical source operable to generate ultrashort optical pulses at a first wavelength; and an optical fiber amplifier comprising an optical fiber having a core containing a dopant to provide optical gain at the first wavelength and anomalous dispersion over a wavelength range including the first wavelength and a second wavelength. The optical fiber receives the ultrashort optical pulses, amplifies the ultrashort optical pulses, and alters the wavelength of the ultrashort optical pulses to at least the second wavelength by the soliton-self-frequency shifting effect. Microstructured and/or tapered fibers can be used to provide the required dispersion characteristics. Pulses can be generated in one of three spectral regimes—monocolor solitons, multicolor solitons and continuous broadband spectra by adjusting the energy of the optical pulses, and tunability can be achieved by varying the power of pump light provided to the amplifier.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.