Abstract: A tip/tilt/piston (“TTP”) MEMS MMA is used to provide coherent beam combination (CBC) such that the combined beam behaves as if it were emitted from a single aperture laser, but with higher brightness than can be obtained from an individual laser. Piston actuation of the mirrors is used to adjust the phase of individual amplified laser beams and maintain a zero phase difference across all of the amplified laser beams. Tip/Tilt actuation of the mirrors is used to steer the phase-adjusted amplified laser beams to form a coherent output laser beam. Additional TTP actuation can be used to oversample and superimpose Adaptive Optics correction or focusing/defocusing on the beam. A multi-spectral system may be implemented with a common MEMS MMA to produce a spectrally beam combined, multi-channel coherent laser beam.

Abstract: A semiconductor optical amplifier having a 3 dB coupler is described for use in providing an amplified optical data signal to a photonic chip. The semiconductor optical amplifier includes an amplifier die having a signal coupling facet, waveguides terminating at the signal coupling facet, a 3 dB coupler, and a reflector. The 3 dB coupler is optically coupled between the signal coupling facet and the reflector.

Abstract: An optical encoding device includes a code disc, an optical signal generator, (K+1) optical sensors and an encoding circuit. The code disk has K gratings arranged in a row. The total width of the optical sensors is equal to the total width W of the gratings. The optical sensor receives the optical signal through the code disk. Each optical sensor converts the optical signal into a voltage signal and outputs the voltage signal. The encoding circuit receives and normalizes the voltage signals to generate (K+1) voltage values. During a period in which the code disk rotates by a distance of 2W/K, the encoding circuit compares the voltage values with a preset value to generate at least two binary codes. When K is odd, the preset value is 0.5, and when K is even, the preset value is 0.55. The present invention can increase an absolute row resolution of the code disc.

Abstract: A movable system includes a movable platform that includes a motorized drive to cause the movable platform to move in position, and a compartment located in an interior part of the movable platform; and an LIDAR system mounted to the movable platform including a probe fiber laser module located on the movable platform and producing pulsed probe laser light and scan the pulsed probe laser light out for optically sensing presence of one or more objects in the surrounding area based on detection of reflected probe laser light from the one or more objects. The probe fiber laser module includes a base laser module located inside the enclosure of the compartment and remote laser modules distributed at the platform instrument holding portions to scan the pulsed probe laser light out for optically sensing presence of one or more objects in the surrounding area.

Abstract: An optical reflective multiplexer chip, a laser transmitter chip, and an optical transmitter are disclosed. The optical transmitter includes the laser transmitter chip, an optical fiber, and the optical reflective multiplexer chip. The laser transmitter chip includes a bi-directional light emitting laser, a polarization splitter-rotator, and a first external port. The optical reflective multiplexer chip includes a combiner, a second external port, N third external ports, N microring resonant cavities, N polarization splitter-rotators, N first branch waveguides, and N second branch waveguides. The combiner is connected to the first branch waveguide, the second branch waveguide, and the second external port. The first external port is connected to the third external port by using the optical fiber.

Abstract: A write head comprises a waveguide core configured to receive light emitted in a crosstrack direction from a light source at a fundamental transverse electric (TE00) mode. The waveguide core comprises a first turn that receives the light in the crosstrack direction redirects the light to an opposite crosstrack direction and a second turn that redirects the light to a direction normal to a media-facing surface of the write head. The waveguide core comprises a straight section that couples the first and second turns and a branched portion extending from the straight section. The branched portion is configured to convert the light to a higher-order (TE10) mode. A near-field transducer at the media-facing surface is configured to receive the light at the TE10 mode from the waveguide and directs surface plasmons to a recording medium in response thereto.

Abstract: Provided is a deep ultraviolet LED with a design wavelength ?, including an Al reflecting electrode layer, an ultrathin metal layer, and a transparent p-AlGaN contact layer that are sequentially arranged from a side opposite to a substrate, and a photonic crystal periodic structure provided in the range of the thickness direction of the transparent p-AlGaN contact layer. The photonic crystal periodic structure has a photonic band gap.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a processor configured to calculate a noise figure of an optical amplifier for a plurality of selected wavelength channels in a partial-fill scenario that accounts for channel loading. The noise figure is calculated using a plurality of corresponding noise figure correction values at a plurality of wavelengths based on an effective number of channels.

Abstract: An optical amplifying apparatus that amplifies a wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) optical signal includes an input section, a laser light source, a double-clad optical fiber, a gain equalizer, and a residual pump light attenuating section that attenuates a residual pump light outputted from the double-clad optical fiber. The residual pump light attenuating section is disposed such that the residual pump light of the laser light is incident on the residual pump light attenuating section before being incident on an isolator.

Abstract: An optical-fiber filter system to narrow a linewidth and to reduce noise fluctuations of an optical beam is provided. The optical-fiber filter system includes an optical fiber having a first end-face and an opposing second end-face, the first end-face and the second end-face setting a fiber length; a fiber Bragg grating having a first reflectivity positioned at the first end-face; and a reflector having a second reflectivity positioned at the second end-face. When the optical beam at a first frequency is coupled from a laser into one of the first end-face or the second end-face, a resonant cavity is established at the first frequency between the fiber Bragg grating and the reflector while Brillouin scattered light shifted from the first frequency within the optical fiber is transmitted through the fiber Bragg grating.

Abstract: High-power, phased-locked, laser arrays as disclosed herein utilize a system of optical elements that may be external to the laser oscillator array. Such an external optical system may achieve mutually coherent operation of all the emitters in a laser array, and coherent combination of the output of all the lasers in the array into a single beam. Such an “external gain harness” system may include: an optical lens/mirror system that mixes the output of all the emitters in the array; a holographic optical element that combines the output of all the lasers in the array, and an output coupler that selects a single path for the combined output and also selects a common operating frequency for all the coupled gain regions.

Abstract: A method for forming planar-waveguide Bragg grating in a curved waveguide comprises: forming a long chirped planar-waveguide Bragg grating in an Archimedes' spiral such that a long length of the waveguide can fit in a small chip area where the grating is formed in the curved waveguide; using periodic width modulation to form the planar-waveguide Bragg grating on the curved waveguide, and where the formation of the periodic width modulation occurs during the etching of the waveguide core; using rectangular width modulation to create Bragg gratings with a higher order than 1st order to allow a larger grating period and larger modulation depth, using waveguide width tapering while keeping the width modulation period constant to introduce chirp to the planar-waveguide Bragg grating where the index of refraction is a function of waveguide width, by applying a specific width tapering to create a desired arbitrary chirp profile.

Abstract: A Bragg grating fiber hydrophone, includes a fluid chamber and an optical fiber in which a Bragg grating is integrated, the optical fiber passing through the fluid chamber along a longitudinal axis such that the Bragg grating is positioned inside the latter. The fluid chamber is filled with a compressible fluid and is defined by a casing including two ends connected to the optical fiber. The casing includes at least one portion formed by an extensible and compressible tube extending along the longitudinal axis. The portion formed by an extensible and compressible tube includes an outer end coinciding with one of the two casing ends and can be longitudinally deformed by a difference in the pressures applied on the walls thereof, which results in a variation of the length of the optical fiber as measured by a variation in the wavelength of a luminous flux extracted from the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a variable wavelength interference filter includes forming an electrostatic gap forming groove, a wiring forming groove extending from the electrostatic gap forming groove to an outer peripheral edge of the chip region, and an air communication groove through which the wiring groove forming groove communicates with the outside of the first substrate, in a chip region of a first substrate.

Abstract: An optical amplifier includes an optical fiber which includes a core in which the signal light is propagated and with which a rare-earth element is doped; a laser that is optically coupled to an end of the optical fiber, providing the optical fiber with an excitation light; and a filter which is formed in the optical fiber and removes a light within a wavelength range, from the core, among lights propagated in the core, wherein the filter comprises a first filter that is arranged at a stage of the optical fiber and removes a first light in a first wavelength range, and a second filter that is arranged at a subsequent stage of the optical fiber and removes a second light in a second wavelength range, wherein a wavelength of the second light is longer than a wavelength of the first light.

Abstract: A method for two-dimensional spatial (transverse) mode selection in waveguide and free-space laser resonators and associated laser systems employing said resonators. The invention is based on the cylindrical symmetry of the angular selectivity of reflecting volume Bragg gratings (R-VBGs) that are used as spectrally selective minors in resonators. Matching the divergence of a laser beam and the angular selectivity a reflecting volume Bragg grating can establish different losses for transverse modes of different orders, while not restricting the aperture of the laser resonator, and enables single mode operation for resonators that support a plurality of transverse modes. The invention provides a laser having increased brightness without a decrease of efficiency.

Abstract: An optical signal amplifier for use in optical networks operating in a ring configuration comprising a first doped optical fiber loop pumped by a first laser and a second optical fiber loop pumped by a second laser.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus for enhancing the signal power to ASE power ratio in an optical amplifier including a 1×n input optical switching component, n band-pass filters, and an n×1 output optical switching component, wherein the signal power is allowed to pass through the band-pass filter switched by the 1×n input optical switching component and the n×1 output optical switching component.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a kilowatt laser system having a post resonator including a polarization multi-plexer, optical reconfiguration element, anamorphic element and fiber-optic module configured to arrange a multi-wavelength profile for coupling into an optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here teaches methods and apparatus for altering the temporal and spatial shape of an optical pulse. The methods correct for the spatial beam deformation caused by the intrinsic DC index gradient in a volume holographic chirped reflective grating (VHCRG). The first set of methods involves a mechanical mean of pre-deforming the VHCRG so that the combination of the deflection caused by the DC index gradient is compensated by the mechanical deformation of the VHCRG. The second set of methods involves compensating the angular deflection caused by the DC index gradient by retracing the diffracted beam back onto itself and by re-diffracting from the same VHCRG. Apparatus for temporally stretching, amplifying and temporally compressing light pulses are disclosed that rely on the methods above.

Abstract: High-power, phased-locked, laser arrays as disclosed herein utilize a system of optical elements that may be external to the laser oscillator array. Such an external optical system may achieve mutually coherent operation of all the emitters in a laser array, and coherent combination of the output of all the lasers in the array into a single beam. Such an “external gain harness” system may include: an optical lens/mirror system that mixes the output of all the emitters in the array; a holographic optical element that combines the output of all the lasers in the array, and an output coupler that selects a single path for the combined output and also selects a common operating frequency for all the coupled gain regions.

Abstract: A fiber laser of an MOPA type includes an MO which is a laser oscillator for generating seed light, a PA which is a light amplifier connected to a rear stage of the MO, for amplifying and outputting laser light emitted from the MO, and a reflection device which is provided between the MO and the PA. According to the present invention, the MOPA type fiber laser can decrease the peak value of the pulse which is emitted toward the MO or the pump light source by self-oscillation or reflection, and makes it unlikely that the pump light source or the MO will be damaged.

Abstract: A device is described herein which may comprise an optical amplifier having a gain band including wavelengths ?1 and ?2, with ?1??2; a pre-pulse seed laser having a tuning module for tuning a pre-pulse output to wavelength ?1; a main pulse seed laser generating a laser output having wavelength, ?2; and a beam combiner for directing the pre-pulse output and the main pulse output on a common path through the optical amplifier.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical amplifier using optical amplification mediums each doped with a rare earth element for increasing amplification efficiency of signal light in S-band and the like. To this end, the optical amplifier is constituted such that, when performing optical amplification for S-band and the like in which a center wavelength of a gain peak in the optical amplification medium is located at an outside of a signal band, a gain coefficient of when a pumping condition of the optical amplification medium is maximum is set so that a parameter ? obtained by dividing a minimum value of the gain coefficient in the signal band by a maximum value of the gain coefficient outside of the signal band becomes a previously set value or more, wherein, for example, the parameter ? can be increased by controlling a temperature of each of a plurality of EDFs between which gain equalizers are disposed.

Abstract: The invention comprises a polymeric microarray support (1) for an optical assay arrangement (2) comprising optical means (3, 4, 6) for detection of light emitted from the support. The microarray support is provided with microfeatures comprising a surface enlarging pattern (5), i.e. grooves having a selected depth (8). The depth is selected such that the sum of the depth and of the variations in the thickness (7) of the support substantially corresponds to the depth of focus of the optical means.

Abstract: High-power, phased-locked, laser arrays as disclosed herein utilize a system of optical elements that may be external to the laser oscillator array. Such an external optical system may achieve mutually coherent operation of all the emitters in a laser array, and coherent combination of the output of all the lasers in the array into a single beam. Such an “external gain harness” system may include: an optical lens/mirror system that mixes the output of all the emitters in the array; a holographic optical element that combines the output of all the lasers in the array, and an output coupler that selects a single path for the combined output and also selects a common operating frequency for all the coupled gain regions.

Abstract: A method for acquiring spectrum shape of a gain flattening filter of a doped optical fiber amplifier comprises the steps of: measuring spectrum shapes at two gain point (H, L) of the doped optical fiber with invariable fiber length respectively; and acquiring various gain spectrums of the doped optical fiber with various fiber length and various population inversion level according to an expression: ErGain(?,x,L?)=[ErLGain(?)+[ErHGain(?)?ErLGain(?)]*x]*L?, Wherein Gain(?) refers to the spectral function of gain, x is ??inv/?inv which refers to change of population inversion level, and L? is set as proportion of doped fiber length. Gain spectrums of the doped optical fiber with various fiber length can be acquired by measuring spectrum shapes at two gain point (H, L) of the doped optical fiber in invariable fiber length and applying change rule of gain spectrum of the doped optical fiber in different population inversion level, which improves the flexibility for design of amplifier.

Abstract: A high-power narrow-linewidth fiber laser system includes a seed oscillator with multiple resonant cavities and an amplifier stage. The seed oscillator includes a gain fiber, a pump source to introduce pump light into the gain fiber, a single-mode output fiber arranged at the end of the active gain fiber, a first resonant cavity including the active gain fiber, and a second resonant cavity including the active gain fiber. The first and second resonant cavities cooperate to minimize the synchronization of longitudinal modes and thereby reduce modal beating. The amplifier preferably includes an active multimode gain fiber capable of supporting a single fundamental mode at the signal wavelength, wherein the single mode output fiber of the seed oscillator and the multimode gain fiber of the amplifier are mode-matched and coupled without a mode converter.

Abstract: Spectrally filtering at least one input beam includes: dispersing spectral components of at least one input beam at respective angles in a spectral plane; changing at least some of the angles of the propagation axes of the dispersed spectral components so that a plurality of the spectral components reflect from a single reflective surface; and tilting the reflective surface to select at least one and fewer than all of the received spectral components to be directed to an output spatial mode.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for suppressing ASE and parasitic oscillation modes in a high average power laser is introduced. Such an invention, as disclosed herein, uses diffraction gratings to increase gain, stored energy density, and pumping efficiency of solid-state laser gain media, such as, but not limited to rods, disks and slabs. By coupling predetermined gratings to solid-state gain media, such as crystal or ceramic laser gain media, ASE and parasitic oscillation modes can be effectively suppressed.

Abstract: An optical amplifier of the present invention comprises: an optical amplifying circuit which amplifies a signal light; an optical reflection medium which is disposed on an optical fiber connected to the optical amplifying circuit and is capable of reflecting a noise light which exists in a predetermined wavelength range outside a signal band, among noise lights generated in said optical amplifying circuit, to radiate the reflected noise light to the outside of a core of the optical fiber; a light receiver which receives the noise light reflected to be radiated to the outside of the core of the optical fiber by the optical reflection medium, to detect the power of the noise light; and a computation circuit which computes the total power of the noise lights generated in the optical amplifying circuit based on the detection result of the light receiver.

Abstract: In the three-terminal optical signal amplifying device 10, a portion of the neighboring light LS at other wavelength than that of the first wavelength ?1 that is selected from the output light from the element 14 by the optical add drop filter 16, and the control light LC at the second wavelength ?2 input from the external are together input to the second semiconductor optical amplifying element 18. The output light including the output signal light LOUT at the second wavelength ?2 and the neighboring light at the neighboring wavelength to the second wavelength ?2 that is modulated and controlled by the control light LC in the cross gain modulation is output from the second semiconductor optical amplifying element 18. And the output signal light LOUT at the second wavelength ?2 passes through the wavelength selecting filter 20.

Abstract: Provided is an all-optical gain-clamped fiber amplifier, comprising transmission and isolation means for periodically transmitting an optical signal or reflecting amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) back to a gain medium. The transmission and isolation means can be embodied by an optical interleaver or a number of optical fiber Bragg gratings. Accordingly, an optical signal can be amplified across the entire C-band, and an ASE reflector-based gain-clamped fiber amplifier having a wider dynamic range than conventional amplifiers can be implemented.

Abstract: Optical systems of the present invention include first and second optical amplifiers that are operated individually to provide gain profiles that do not conform with a desired composite, or overall or total, gain profile, e.g., substantially flat, but to produce a desired composite noise figure profile, e.g., substantially flat or otherwise, for the amplifiers. Generally, the desired composite noise figure profile is produced, while attempting to minimize the deviation of the composite gain profile from the desired composite gain profile.

Abstract: An optical waveguide for use in amplifying light signals with an integrated gain equalization filter. The optical waveguide includes a gain section for amplifying light signals. The optical waveguide further includes an equalization filter to improve the uniformity of optical gain over a wavelength range for which the gain section is intended to provide amplification.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a dynamic optical tag communication system is provided which includes high and low index CCR, both having a modulator, such as TCFP-MQWs on a first side of the CCR configured to modulate in a first temperature range, and a modulator on a second side of the CCR to modulate in a second temperature range. In some embodiments another high index CCR having corresponding first and second temperature range modulators is provided. In some embodiments, a CCR may have three modulators, such as MQWs, one configured to modulate in a first temperature range, another to modulate in a second temperature range, and yet another to modulate in a third temperature range. In some embodiments, a dynamic optical tag communication system has CCRs which include a high index CCR having a DDG modulator and a low index CCR having a DDG modulator.

Abstract: A hybrid beam combining system or method combines a plurality of coherent and incoherent light beams into a composite high power diffraction limited beam. N oscillators each transmit light at one of N different wavelengths and each wavelength is split into M constituent beams. M beams in each of N groups are phase locked by a phase modulator using phase correction signals. The phase locked beams are amplified and coupled into an M×N fiber array. Beams emerging from the array are collimated and incident on a diffractive optical element operating as a beam combiner combining the M outputs at each N wavelength into a single beam. The N single beams are incident and spectrally combined on a grating which outputs a composite beam at a nominal 100% fill factor. A low power sample beam, taken from the N beams emerging from the diffractive optical element, is measured for phase deviations from which the phase correction signals are derived and fed back to the phase modulators.

Abstract: A multimode fiber receiver includes a multimode collimator, a multimode fiber optic amplifier and a detector. The collimator receives incoming signals and provides the signals to the amplifier. The amplifier includes plural amplification stages, a limiter, a tunable narrow band filter and a microcontroller. The amplification stages each include a gain element and a noise filter. The limiter receives the amplified signals and limits the energy of those signals. The optical signals subsequently traverse the narrow band filter including an adjustable pass band to provide desired signals to the detector. The microcontroller measures the energy of the incoming and output signals to control the limiter, amplification stages and/or narrow band filter in order to produce signals within the dynamic range of a particular application. The multimode fiber optic amplifier and/or receiver of the present invention is preferably utilized within an optical communication unit.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength light source includes an amplifier for generating light over a wide wavelength range; and, an optical fiber grating including a plurality of gratings formed on an optical fiber in in parallel with each other, thereby dividing the light inputted from the amplifier into respective channels having different wavelengths to reflect the divided channels to the amplifier. The amplifier amplifies each channel reflected in the gratings.

Abstract: A multimode fiber receiver includes a multimode collimator, a multimode fiber optic amplifier and a detector. The collimator receives incoming signals and provides the signals to the amplifier. The amplifier includes plural amplification stages, a limiter, a tunable narrow band filter and a microcontroller. The amplification stages each include a gain element and a noise filter. The limiter receives the amplified signals and limits the energy of those signals. The optical signals subsequently traverse the narrow band filter including an adjustable pass band to provide desired signals to the detector. The microcontroller measures the energy of the incoming and output signals to control the limiter, amplification stages and/or narrow band filter in order to produce signals within the dynamic range of a particular application. The multimode fiber optic amplifier and/or receiver of the present invention is preferably utilized within an optical communication unit.

Abstract: A multi-section filter is provided for use in processing optical signals and other signals that can be readily projected from one filter section to another. Filters of the invention can be configured in numerous forms, including IIR and FIR filters and both linear and 2D active optical lattice filters. Filter sections are coupled together by means of four direction couplers and surface grating couplers, and may be implemented as GSE photonic integrated circuit devices.

Abstract: A flattened gain amplifier has a waveguide with a core doped with at least one species of rare earth ion. The rare earth ion has a gain profile with a first gain in a first wavelength band and a second gain in a second wavelength band. The flattened gain amplifier also has a first grating and a reflective element optically coupled to the core. The positions of the first grating and reflective element along the length define a first amplifying length and a second amplifying length. The ratio of the first amplifying length to the second amplifying length is about equal to the ratio of the second gain to the first gain.

Abstract: A fiber amplifier module for amplifying a signal pulse includes an optically pumped double-pass fiber amplifier in which a fiber Bragg grating reflects an amplified pulse in between the first and second amplification passes, and transmits most forward-propagating amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) generated by the optical pumping. The reflected amplified pulse from the double-pass amplifier, and reverse-propagating ASE generated by the optical pumping are reflected from another fiber Bragg grating that again reflects the amplified pulse and transmits most of the ASE. The twice-reflected amplified pulse can be delivered from the amplifier as an output pulse or passed to another amplifier module for further amplification. The amplifier fiber is operated in a saturated or near saturated mode. This reduces amplification of any portion of the forward-propagating ASE that is reflected into reverse propagation by the fiber Bragg grating of the double-pass amplifier.

Abstract: Provided is a wavelength tunable light source that can electrically tune wavelengths by monolithically integrating an optical amplifier, a beam steering unit, and a concave diffraction grating on a single substrate. A beam is deflected by the beam steering unit when an electrical signal is applied to two electrodes installed in the beam steering unit to be incident on the diffraction grating, and then diffracted by the diffraction grating according to the incidence angle such that part of the beam with a specific wavelength is reflected, thereby achieving wavelength tuning. Since the wavelength tuning is achieved electrically, the wavelength tunable light source is structurally stable and has a rapid wavelength tuning rate.

Abstract: A fiber amplifier module for amplifying a signal pulse includes an optically pumped double-pass fiber amplifier in which a fiber Bragg grating reflects an amplified pulse in between the first and second amplification passes, and transmits most forward-propagating amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) generated by the optical pumping. The reflected amplified pulse from the double-pass amplifier, and reverse-propagating ASE generated by the optical pumping are reflected from another fiber Bragg grating that again reflects the amplified pulse and transmits most of the ASE. The twice-reflected amplified pulse can be delivered from the amplifier as an output pulse or passed to another amplifier module for further amplification. The amplifier fiber is operated in a saturated or near saturated mode. This reduces amplification of any portion of the forward-propagating ASE that is reflected into reverse propagation by the fiber Bragg grating of the double-pass amplifier.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an optical device includes a polarization diversity module configured to receive an optical input signal and output a first optical output signal and a second optical output signal having the same polarization state. This helps ensure light beams propagating in the optical device have the same polarization state, thereby mitigating the effects of polarization-dependent loss in the optical device. In one embodiment, the optical device comprises an optical dynamic gain equalizer with a light modulator.

Abstract: Provided is a millimeter wave oscillator for generating a high frequency signal required in wireless communication. The millimeter wave oscillator uses an overwritten fiber Bragg grating and a light detector such that two wavelengths in a certain phase relationship are produced to generate a signal of a millimeter wave band with a high frequency, whereby a light source is readily obtained without signal processing for phase lock.

Abstract: A device including an input port configured to receive an input signal is described. The device also includes an output port and a structure, which structure includes a tunneling junction connected with the input port and the output port. The tunneling junction is configured in a way (i) which provides electrons in a particular energy state within the structure, (ii) which produces surface plasmons in response to the input signal, (iii) which causes the structure to act as a waveguide for directing at least a portion of the surface plasmons along a predetermined path toward the output port such that the surface plasmons so directed interact with the electrons in a particular way, and (iv) which produces at the output port an output signal resulting from the particular interaction between the electrons and the surface plasmons.

Abstract: A signal may be split by a splitter into a plurality of output signals. Each of these output signals may then be amplified. Amplified spontaneous emission noise may be removed using a tunable filter for each of the signal outputs. As a result, an output signal may be provided with greater power so that, in some embodiments, a single split signal may be utilized to service more end users.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high speed optical signal processor which includes a saturable absorber area including a substrate, an active layer, a clad layer and a first upper electrode which are sequentially formed on one face of the substrate, and a first lower electrode formed on the other face of the substrate; and a gain-clamped optical amplifier area including a substrate having a diffraction grating for generating a laser beam, an active layer, a clad layer and a second upper electrode which are sequentially formed on one face of the substrate, and a second lower electrode formed on the other face of the substrate, the second upper electrode being isolated from the first upper electrode of the saturable absorber area.