Variable-gain gain-clamped optical amplifiers
US7081990B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 5, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 25, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/5081
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical amplifier is disclosed comprising a signal semiconductor optical amplifier having a waveguide, forming at least part of a signal path between an input and an output, extending along a signal active region for amplification of a signal. The amplifier also includes a control active region of semiconductor material having a gain which is controllable independently from the gain of the signal active region. The amplifier also includes a laser cavity containing both the signal active region and the control active region and being capable of clamping the gain of the signal active region, and the control active region is arranged not to amplify a signal in the signal path within a predetermined signal band.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.