Abstract: An optical amplifier and a method for using same. The amplifier includes a poled non-linear gain medium such as LiNbO3 and provides waveband optical amplification by difference frequency generation between a data signal and a pump signal. Architectures are provided which realize the amplifier on a single chip. Polarization insensitive architectures are provided, as are methods for tailoring the amplification gain curve.

Abstract: An Optical Frequency Shifter (Shifter) enables all-optical frequency translation to be imparted on a data-carrying Input Optical Signal (Input Signal). The Shifter includes a first difference-frequency-mixer for achieving quasi-phase-matching between a first pump channel, the Input Signal and an Intermediate Signal. A second difference-frequency-mixer is employed for achieving quasi-phase-matching between a second pump signal, the intermediate signal and a converted signal. A frequency shift discriminates the input signal from the output signal wherein the value of the frequency shift is proportional to the difference in frequencies of the first pump signal and the second pump signal. In this fashion, the value of the frequency shift in independent of the frequency of the input signal.