Abstract: Improved systems and methods for optical amplification of WDM signals are provided. Multiple sub-bands of a WDM signal are amplified in a first common amplification stage and separated from one another. The separated sub-bands are amplified by independent parallel amplification stages. Each of the independent parallel amplification stages is equipped with a corresponding optical pump energy source. Furthermore, all of these optical pump energy sources together also provide the pump energy for the first common amplification stage. This architecture provides low noise figure and independent power regulation for each of the sub-bands while employing only N−1 pump energy sources for N amplification stages, thus greatly reducing space requirements and cost.

Abstract: The meters of coiled silica fiber in conventional R-EDFAs is replaced with an ultra-short high-gain waveguides formed of co-doped erbium-ytterbium multi-component glass a few centimeters in length. The compact R-EDA is pumped using non-conventional multi-mode pumps that couple to the waveguide cladding. The multi-component glasses support doping concentrations of the rare-earth ions erbium and ytterbium far in excess of levels believed possible with conventional glasses. These dopant levels in combination with the reflective scheme make a compact R-EDA with sufficient amplification possible.

Abstract: A Raman optical amplifier for amplifying an optical signal propagating in an optical fiber associated with an optical communications system. The amplifier includes a first Raman pump source including a first pump laser coupled to the fiber to provide first order Raman pump light for amplifying the optical signal, and a second Raman pump source including a second pump laser coupled to the fiber to provide second order Raman pump light for amplifying the first order Raman pump light. The first and second order Raman pump light is introduced into the fiber in either a co-propagating or counter-propagating direction relative to the propagation direction of the optical signal in the fiber. The second pump laser may include first and second pump laser elements that generate the second order Raman pump light, where a center wavelength of the light generated by the first laser element is different than the center wavelength of the light generated by the second laser element.

Abstract: An amplification architecture for WDM receiver systems. The WDM channel grid is divided into groups of adjacent channels. A separate optical amplifier is provided for each channel with a single pump being shared among the channels of each group. The gain experienced by channels of a given group may be adjusted by varying the power of the group's pump. This approach allows equalization of received channel power such that all channels fall within the desired dynamic range. The amplification architecture may be implemented in a space-efficient manner at low cost.

Abstract: A double pumped Raman amplifier is provided that increases gain over a same length of gain fiber without significantly increasing a percentage of noise. The amplifier may include a source of pump light coupled to the output end of a coil of Raman gain fiber, and a reflector coupled to the input end of the coil which may be either a mirror, or a fiber Bragg grating. Alternatively, a beam splitter may be connected to the source of pump light and the resulting split output may be coupled to both the input and output ends of the gain fiber. The increase in amplification efficiency allows the optical fiber used in components such as dispersion compensating modules to also be used as Raman gain fiber in such amplifiers.

Abstract: Optical amplifiers and optical network equipment are provided that have optical gain stages for amplifying optical signals on a fiber-optic communications link. The optical gain stages may be based on optically pumped fiber such as rare-earth-doped fiber. The fiber may be optically pumped using laser diode pumps. A control unit may be provided in the amplifiers or other equipment to control the laser diode pumps. Optical monitors may be used to measure the optical signals in the amplifiers or other equipment. The pump powers of the laser diode pumps may be adjusted in real time by the control unit based on the measured optical signals to suppress gain transients due to input power fluctuations on the link. To minimize the impact of pump-induced noise, the control unit may avoid operating the laser diodes at powers at which the laser diodes are most susceptible to mode partition noise.

Abstract: An optical transmission system comprising a first optical waveguide suitable for transmitting a first information signal, a second optical waveguide suitable for transmitting a second information signal, and input means for providing an electro magnetic radiation signal into said first waveguide, said signal being suitable for providing Raman amplification of the information signals, the system further comprising an optical coupling between said waveguides, arranged to transmit at least a portion of the Raman amplification signal from the first waveguide to the second whilst substantially blocking the transmission of the information signals between the waveguides.

Abstract: An optical amplifier includes an optical amplifying medium having a multiplexed light input thereto and providing an output of amplified multiplexed light, an excitation source which excites the optical amplifying medium; and at least one of a first monitor for monitoring the amplified multiplexed light from the optical amplifying medium and a second monitor for monitoring the multiplexed light input to the optical amplifying medium. An operation amount of the excitation source for the optical amplifying medium is controlled using a monitoring result output from at least one of said first and second monitors.

Abstract: A multimode diode package and pump-coupler package are provided with a beam rotator that facilitates efficient packaging of a multimode diode laser with a side-coupled optical fiber. The beam rotator comprises a pair of reflective surfaces that perform/a pair of “off-plane bounces” to rotate the beam's fast axis. In an XYZ coordinate system, if the diode lies in the XZ-plane and emits the beam along the Z-axis with its fast-axis along the Y-axis, the first reflective surface folds the beam along the Y-axis and its fast-axis along the Z-axis. The second reflective surface folds the beam along the X-axis and leaves the fast-axis along the Z-axis. The fiber is mounted in the XZ-plane along the Z-axis parallel to the fast-axis.

Abstract: An amplifier system includes: (i) a distributed Raman fiber amplifier and; (ii) a discrete Raman fiber amplifier that includes dispersion compensated fiber. The discrete Raman fiber amplifier is operatively connected to the distributed Raman fiber amplifier and amplifies signals received from the distributed Raman fiber amplifier. In one embodiment, at least one source of pump signal is coupled to the distributed and to the discrete Raman fiber amplifier. The distributed Raman fiber amplifier and the discrete Raman fiber amplifier in this embodiment share optical pump power provided by the shared pump. In one embodiment of the present invention an Erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) is operatively connected to a discrete Raman fiber amplifier and the Erbium dope fiber amplifier amplifies signals received from the discrete Raman fiber amplifier.

Abstract: An optical amplification system has an active fibre section having an optical fibre 10 and containment means 8, 12 containing light of a specific wavelength within the active fibre section. The specific wavelength of light is the result of the spontaneous transition of photons. The contained photons stimulate further photons emissions, which depopulates energy levels involved in the amplification process.

Abstract: An optical amplifier is provided comprising an optical fiber ring, and a pump light emitting device providing a primary pump wavelength. The pump light emitting device is optically coupled to the optical fiber ring and utilizes the primary pump wavelength to generate a secondary pump wavelength. Optical signal amplification and secondary pump wavelength lasing occur within the same section of the optical fiber ring.

Abstract: An optical array amplifier has a first light beam shaper, a first waveguide to guide an input optical signal consisting of a plurality of wavelengths to the first beam shaper, a diffracter illuminated by light from the first beam shaper to diffract the optical signal into individual wavelengths or groups of wavelengths, a second waveguide connected to a source of optical pump energy, a second beam shaper combining optical pump energy from the second waveguide with the diffracted signal wavelengths or groups of wavelengths without the pump energy impinging on the diffracter, so that a proportion of the optical pump energy is mixed with each of the wavelengths or groups of wavelengths, and to focus the mixed optical signals onto a third waveguide connected to an optical amplifier utilizing the pump energy to cause amplification of the individual wavelengths or groups of wavelengths mixed with the corresponding proportion of pump energy. The amplifier may be implemented as a planar waveguide device.

Abstract: Optical pumping unit comprising a first pump source adapted to emit a first pump radiation at wavelength &lgr;p1; a second pump source adapted to emit a second pump radiation at wavelength &lgr;p2, with wavelength &lgr;p2 different from wavelength &lgr;p1; and a common coupling section comprising a first and a second port connected to the first and second pump source for respectively receiving the first and the second pump radiation; a third port for a signal radiation at wavelength &lgr;s; a fourth port, wherein the coupling section is adapted to combine, in the fourth port, the signal radiation and the first and second pump radiation through a reversal of the direction of propagation of the first pump radiation from the first port to the fourth port.

Abstract: A system and method for amplifying an optical signal within an optical waveguide amplifier including providing at least one optical waveguide amplifier having an input for receiving an optical source signal therein and an output, wherein a forward pumping direction extends from the input to the output and rearward pumping direction extends from the output to the input. The system also includes providing at least one excitation light source in optical communication with the optical waveguide amplifier and capable of generating at least one excitation light. The system further includes amplifying the source signal by pumping a first excitation light from the excitation light source in the rearward pumping direction, and amplifying the source signal by simultaneously pumping a second excitation light from the excitation light source in the forward direction.

Abstract: The optical fiber pumping system includes a connector that is adapted to selectively communicate with an external pump system. The connector communicates with an onboard pump multiplexer which also receives input from an on-board pump via a connector. The on-board pump may be hot swapped by connecting an external pump system to the connector and coordinating the power up of the external pump system with the power down of the on-board pump to replace a failed on-board pump with a new pump.

Abstract: A Raman amplifier assembly includes a Raman amplifier configured to receive a signal from a signal source. The signal travels in an upstream direction in the Raman amplifier. A first pump source is coupled to the Raman amplifier. The first pump source produces a first pump beam that travels in a downstream direction and is counter-propagating relative to the signal. A second pump source is coupled to the Raman amplifier and produces a second pump beam that travels in the upstream direction. The second pump source has an average relative intensity noise of less than −80 dB/Hz.

Abstract: In an optical amplifier, a filter is employed to reflect pump power into an erbium optical fiber carrying an input radiation signal, causing the signal to be amplified. The filter passes the amplified radiation signal to a partially reflecting optical interface which passes a small portion of the amplified radiation signal for monitoring purposes. Most of the amplified radiation signal is reflected by the interface and reflected again by another interface towards an output channel preferably parallel to the input channel for a compact design. Isolators may be employed between the filter and a first partially reflecting interface.

Abstract: A bidirectionally pumped optical amplifier comprises an active fibre having two ends, a first WDM coupler and a second WDM coupler coupled to said ends, a first pump branch coupled to said first WDM coupler comprising a first laser and a grating, for introducing pump radiation in said active fibre in a first direction, and a second pump branch coupled to said second WDM coupler comprising a second laser, for introducing pump radiation in said active fibre in a second direction, opposite to said first direction. A portion of unabsorbed pump residual propagating in the first direction is coupled in one of the two pump branches towards the pump laser included in the pump branch, and locks the emission wavelength of the pump laser. The other pump branch preferably comprises an optical isolator for the pump radiation. Preferably, the pump lasers emit in the 980 nm window.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at providing an optical repeater using Raman amplification that can Raman amplify WDM signal lights propagated through a plurality of transmission systems, with high excitation efficiency and stability. To this end, an optical repeater using Raman amplification of the present invention multiplexes and demultiplexes excitation lights supplied from a plurality of excitation light sources in a star coupler and then supplies the resultant demultiplexed lights to Raman amplification media of a plurality of transmission systems via optical multiplexers, to thereby Raman amplify the WDM signal lights of the respective transmission systems. Moreover, by feedback controlling the power of each excitation light based on the result of monitoring the WDM signal light power after Raman amplification in each transmission system, a stabilized Raman amplification operation with reduced dispersion in the power of each excitation light output from the star coupler is realized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for exploiting almost the full almost 25 THz of bandwidth available in the low-loss window in optical fibers (from 1430 nm to 1620 nm) using a parallel combination of optical amplifiers. The low-loss window at about 1530 nm-1620 nm can be amplified using erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs). However, due to the inherent absorption of the erbium at shorter wavelengths, EDFAs cannot be used below about 1525 nm without a significant degradation in performance. For the low-loss window at approximately 1430-1530 nm, amplifiers based on nonlinear polarization in optical fibers can be used effectively. A broadband nonlinear polarization amplifier (NLPA) is disclosed which combines cascaded Raman amplification with parametric amplification or four-wave mixing. In particular, one of the intermediate cascade Raman order wavelengths &lgr;r should lie in close proximity to the zero-dispersion wavelength &lgr;0 of the amplifying fiber.

Abstract: A fiber amplifier, such as a rare-earth doped fiber amplifier, includes at least two separate sections of (doped) fiber, where residual pump power remaining in one stage (for example, the output stage) of the amplifier is coupled into, and re-used by, the remaining section of (doped) fiber. In particular, a second, longer section of fiber is directly pumped by an externally supplied pump signal and a first, shorter section of doped fiber uses residual pump power from the second section as a pump signal input.

Abstract: An optical amplifier includes a plurality of optical paths each carrying an optical signal and each including active optical fiber. A shared pump laser is coupled to the plurality of optical paths and provides pump power to the plurality of optical paths to individually amplify the optical signals. The plurality of optical paths includes input and output optical isolators and a coupler for coupling the pump power to the optical path. The active optical fiber is doped with an implant selected from the group of rare earth metals, erbium, ytterbium, and both ytterbium and erbium. A variable attenuator can be connected between the pump laser and the coupler of at least one of the plurality of optical paths or adjacent to the output isolator of one of the optical paths. Another optical amplifier serially couples optical signals to the optical path on a common gain media.

Abstract: An optical amplifier includes at least a first wavelength multiplexing unit for multiplexing a signal light and a pumping light source, a first optical amplifying medium for amplifying the signal light by utilizing the pumping light and providing an output of amplified signal light, a first demultiplexing unit, a first dispersion compensation unit for receiving the amplified signal light from the first demultiplexing unit and modifying a waveform of the amplified signal light so as to compensate for waveform distortion of the signal light along a transmission path of the signal light and providing an output of a waveform modified signal light, a second wavelength multiplexing unit, a second optical amplifying medium, a second demultiplexing unit, and a second dispersion compensation unit. The optical amplifier also forms a part of an optical transmitter and an optical receiver.

Abstract: A fiber optic system implementing an amplification system is disclosed that provides distributed optical amplification through remote pump technology. The fiber optic system is comprised of a transmitting system, an amplification system, and a receiving system. The amplification system is comprised of a signal processing system and a laser system. The transmitting system transmits an optical signal that includes a C-band and L-band to the signal processing system. Concurrently, the laser system receives a single laser signal and transfers the single laser signal to the signal processing system. The signal processing system receives the single laser signal and the optical signal that includes the C-band and L-band, and combines the optical signal and the single laser signal to amplify the C-band and L-band of the optical signal.

Abstract: Optical systems of the present invention generally include at least one optical amplifier having a first pump source configured to supply power to said amplifier via a first pumping paths. A second pumping path is provided to supply power to the amplifier from a second pump source configured to replace power from the first pump source. The amplifier allows the replacement and repair of a pump source during operation by providing in-service hot swap capability, which increases the overall availability of the amplifier. The pump source can also be changed during operation to allow reconfiguration of the optical system.

Abstract: A method of amplifying, transmitting and receiving a signal light. The method includes multiplexing the signal light and a pumping light from a pumping light source so as to output the signal light and the pumping light, and amplifying the signal light by utilizing the pumping light and providing an output of amplified signal light. The amplified signal light and the pumping light are received and the amplified signal light and the pumping light are separately outputted. The outputted amplified signal light is received and a waveform of the amplified signal light is modified so as to compensate for waveform distortion of the signal light along a transmission path of the signal light and an output of a waveform modified signal light is provided. The waveform modified signal light which is received and the pumping light which is received is multiplexed so as to output the waveform modified signal light and the pumping light.

Abstract: A wideband optical amplifier for amplifying an input optical signal of known wavelength in one of at least two bands of wavelength has a significantly small number of optical components and thus is low cost. The wideband optical amplifier includes: a first set of a first optical coupler, a first pump light source, and a first erbium doped optical fiber (EDF) which is excited by the first pump light source; an optical switch for changing an output signal of the first set; and a second set of a second optical coupler, a second pump light source, and a second EDF which is excited by the second pump light source. The first set amplifies a first band of optical signal while a series connection of the first set and the second set amplifies a second band of optical signal. In another aspect, a wideband variable wavelength optical source is achieved by utilizing the wideband optical amplifier described above within a closed loop.

Abstract: A total internal reflection (TIR) coupler for side coupling pump light into a fiber for use in an amplifier or laser is mounted on a flat surface of the fiber's inner cladding. The TIR coupler has a reflecting surface that forms an angle of taper a with the inner cladding, which is effective to reflect pump light at a preselected angle of incidence &thgr;inc and satisfy a TIR condition at its reflecting surface for folding pump light into the fiber. The pump light is launched into the fiber at an angle that also satisfies a TIR condition for guiding pump light inside the inner cladding.

Abstract: Circuitry and a concomitant methodology for generating a burst support signal to augment an input bursty optical signal in an optical channel. The burst support signal is produced whenever the input bursty optical signal falls below a predetermined threshold. The burst support signal is the result of self-oscillation of a semiconductor optical amplifier and a tunable optical feedback loop. The wavelength of the self-oscillation is determined by the operating characteristic of the feedback loop.

Abstract: An L band optical amplifier in disclosed. The optical amplifier includes a signal line for transmitting a light signal in a first direction. The signal line has an input, an output disposed optically downstream of the input, and an amplifying gain medium optically disposed between the input and the output. The optical amplifier further includes a laser optically connected to the first amplifying gain medium and an apparatus for directing C band light generated in a second direction, opposite the first direction, into the amplifying gain medium.

Abstract: Multi-wavelength light is transmitted from a sending station to a receiving station. An erbium-doped optical fiber is installed on the transmission path that connects the sending station and the receiving station. Pump light is supplied from a light source installed in the receiving station to the erbium-doped optical fiber. In the receiving station, the multi-wavelength light is decomposed into the component wavelength signals. The light level of each component wavelength signal is detected, and the power of the light emitted by the light source is controlled so as to equalize those light levels.

Abstract: Disclosed is a long-band (L-band) fiber amplifier using a feedback loop which includes a rare earth doped fiber as an amplification medium, forward and backward pump laser diodes, positioned on front and rear ends of the rare earth doped fiber, respectively, for generating pumping lights, first wavelength selective couplers for providing the pumping lights from the pump laser diodes to the rare earth doped fiber, optical isolators, inserted into front and rear ends of the first wavelength selective couplers, respectively, for intercepting backward propagation of signal lights reflected from input and output terminals of the fiber amplifier, a feedback loop for making a seed beam incident to the rare earth doped fiber or making an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) incident again to the rare earth doped fiber, second wavelength selective couplers, provided between the optical isolators and the first wavelength selective couplers, respectively, for making the seed beam incident to the feedback loop or extract

Abstract: Fiber ring lasers that combine a fiber Fabry-Perot resonator and a fiber grating coupler to produce a single-mode laser output.

Abstract: An optical amplifier having a suitable length of Er/Yb co-doped double clad optical fiber is used to amplify an input optical signal. The inner clad of the double clad optical fiber supports the propagation of a multi mode signal used to excite Er/Yb co-dopants in the double clad optical fiber. Simultaneously, a single mode signal launched from a single mode laser pump co-propagates with the input optical signal in the core of the optical fiber. In this model, single mode light travels in the single mode core region and the multi mode pump light is mainly in the clad region. The interaction between the two laser pumps is negligible.

Abstract: An access device for pump source in Erbium-doped fiber amplification is disclosed into the open by the present invention. The device comprises at least two pump sources. Before accessing to the wavelength division multiplexers of the Erbium-doped fiber amplifier, the pump sources are coupled by the couplers, the power of the output light of each pump source is reassigned at the output ports of the couplers. In this manner, all of the pump sources are constructed as an entity, the gain of the entire or plurality of the segments of the Erbium-doped fiber will be affected according to a fixed ratio when adjusting the power of one of the pump sources, therefore the bad influence to the smoothness of the output gain spectrum will not be occurred, or will be decreased, and the difficulty of controlling the smoothness of the gain can be decreased.

Abstract: A Raman amplifier comprises first and second stages, in which a single pump source is used for both stages. The pump source output is coupled to one end of the second stage and unused pump power is tapped from the other end of the second stage. The unused pump power is then introduced into the first stage. The attenuation of the pump source signal in the second stage results in a lower power pump signal being applied to the first stage. The specific design of the amplifier stages enables the two pump power levels to be suitable for different fiber types so that the advantages of a multi-stage amplifier are maintained (with each stage being designed taking into account the signal powers in the different stages) whilst simplifying the pump source requirements.

Abstract: A multi-fiber ribbon-coupled multi-channel, optical amplifier architecture has a very compact form factor that facilitates one-for-one alignment with and coupling to each optical fiber of a multi-fiber ribbon. A dual substrate structure contains a first substrate having a signal transport core laminated with a second substrate having an associated pumping energy-receiving, pseudo-cladding layer. This use of separate substrates prevents dopant material of the signal transport core from intruding into the pseudo-cladding material. The bulk layers are polished and laminated so that the signal transport core is in intimate face-to-face abutment with the pseudo-cladding layer. The back side of the bulk containing the pseudo-cladding material is lapped and polished to expose pseudo-cladding material, and provide a generally planar surface that facilitates coupling of the pseudo-cladding layer (and its abutting core) with a pumping energy source.

Abstract: A light source apparatus suitable for use for evaluation of an optical device and for production of pump light for an optical amplifier. The apparatus includes a light emitting element having a gain band and a band reflection filter optically connected to the light emitting element. The light emitting element outputs a light beam having a spectrum which is determined by the gain band. The filter produces, from the light beam outputted from the light emitting element, a transmission beam and a reflection beam which returns to the light emitting element. The filter has a reflection band included in the gain band of the light emitting element and narrower than the gain band, and the transmission beam of the filter has a maximum power higher than the maximum power of the light beam to be outputted from the light emitting element. With the construction, pump light having a maximum power higher than the maximum power of the light to be outputted from the light emitting element can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at providing an optical repeater using Raman amplification that can Raman amplify WDM signal lights propagated through a plurality of transmission systems, with high excitation efficiency and stability. To this end, an optical repeater using Raman amplification of the present invention multiplexes and demultiplexes excitation lights supplied from a plurality of excitation light sources in a star coupler and then supplies the resultant demultiplexed lights to Raman amplification media of a plurality of transmission systems via optical multiplexers, to thereby Raman amplify the WDM signal lights of the respective transmission systems. Moreover, by feedback controlling the power of each excitation light based on the result of monitoring the WDM signal light power after Raman amplification in each transmission system, a stabilized Raman amplification operation with reduced dispersion in the power of each excitation light output from the star coupler is realized.

Abstract: The optical fiber pumping system includes a connector that is adapted to selectively communicate with an external pump system. The connector communicates with an onboard pump multiplexer which also receives input from an on-board pump via a connector. The on-board pump may be hot swapped by connecting an external pump system to the connector and coordinating the power up of the external pump system with the power down of the on-board pump to replace a failed on-board pump with a new pump.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for amplifying the optical signals of a C-band (1550 nm wavelength band) and a L-band (1580 nm wavelength band) in a wide-band optical fiber amplifier, wherein the incoming optical signals are separated into the 1550 nm wavelength band and the 1580 nm wavelength band by a WVDM optical coupler and respectively amplified by a C-band EDFA and a L-band EDFA A backward ASE generated by the C-band EDFA is fed back to the L-band EDFA by a circulator as a supplementary pumping light to the amplification of the optical signals of the 1580 nm wavelength band.

Abstract: An optical amplifier including shared pumps sources. Outputs from a plurality amplifier pump sources are combined and then divided before being injected into one or more amplifying fiber segments. By sharing pumps, signal loss is avoided in the event of pump failure.

Abstract: An optical amplifier for amplifying light in a longer wavelength band. The optical amplifier includes first and second optical fibers doped with a rare earth element and optically connected so that a signal light travels through the first optical fiber and then through the second optical fiber. Excitation light causes the signal light to be amplified in both the first and second optical fibers. Spontaneous emission lights are generated in the first optical fiber. An oscillation generator causes the spontaneous emission lights to oscillate in the first optical fiber, to thereby generate laser oscillation. Light generated by the laser oscillation is supplied to the second optical fiber as excitation light in the second optical fiber. The oscillation generator can be formed by fiber gratings along the first optical fiber and which reflect spontaneous emission light at a predetermined wavelength, thereby causing spontaneous emission lights to oscillate between the fiber gratings in the first optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for pumping an active medium in an optical amplifier. The active medium substantially maximizes amplification when pumped at a pump wavelength. If the active medium is erbium, for example, a pump wavelength of 980 nm may be employed. The apparatus includes a plurality of fiber Bragg grating lasers operating in a regime of coherence collapse. Each of the lasers generate optical energy at a different wavelength, which are distributed about the pump wavelength. The apparatus also includes optical components for combining the different wavelengths to form a pump beam and a coupler for coupling the pump beam to the active medium.

Abstract: The output level of pumping light supplied from a pumping light source is varied using a variable attenuator, which is controlled by a variable attenuator driver circuit. By separating a portion containing the pumping light source from a portion containing an amplification medium, it becomes possible to prevent heat emitted by the pumping light source from adversely affecting the amplification medium. By arranging the portion containing the pumping light source such that a pumping light source or sources can be added when necessary, optical transmission system requirements of having more pumping light sources for system upgrade can be accommodated readily. By packaging portions containing amplification media, an optical amplifier can be made small.

Abstract: A multi-stage optical amplifier includes an optical fiber with at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber. The optical fiber is configured to be coupled to at least one signal source that produces at least a signal wavelength &lgr;s and at least two pump sources that collectively produce a pump beam of wavelength &lgr;p. Pump wavelength &lgr;p is less than signal wavelength &lgr;s. Signal input, signal output and a first pump input port are each coupled to the optical fiber. The first Raman amplifier fiber is positioned between the signal input port and the pump input port. The second Raman amplifier fiber is positioned between the pump input port and signal output port. A second pump input port is coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port. A first lossy member is positioned between the pump input port and the signal output port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for amplifying an optical signal and to an amplifier unit (OFA) to which an optical input signal comprising a plurality of wavelength channel signals each at its dedicated wavelength is supplied. In the method, (a) demultiplexing is carried out to separate each wavelength channel signal from the input signal, (b) a first multiplexing is carried out, combining each separated wavelength channel signal with a separate pump signal, (c) each combination of a wavelength channel signal and pump signal is guided to its dedicated amplifier means (FA1 . . . FA4), and (d) the pump signals are separated from the amplified wavelength channel signals obtained from the amplifier means and a second multiplexing is carried out, combining the amplified wavelength channel signals into an outgoing WDM signal.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier has an amplification stage that uses an optical fiber pumped with pump energy of a first wavelength that oscillates through the gain medium. In one embodiment, the pumping is essentially a cavity resonator that is coupled to either end of the optical fiber such that oscillating pump energy is directed into one end of the fiber and out the other, as it reflects back and forth between the ends of the cavity. Highly reflective gratings are used to maintain the oscillation of the pump energy, and a pump energy source, such as pumped doped optical fiber, is coupled to at least one of the gratings. In another embodiment, the pump source comprises multiple reflectors that are employed at each end of the fiber, and independent pump sources each having a slightly different wavelength within the absorption spectrum of the amplifier are coupled together, such that two pump wavelengths are simultaneously oscillated through the gain medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical amplifier including;