Abstract: A device for expanding the wavelength band of an optical component is disclosed. The device has a beam splitter for splitting a wavelength division multiplexed beam into two beams at a desired separation angle. An optical grating separates the two beams into spectral components for each beam. The spectral components are focused on a receiving surface. The separation angle between the two beams expands the wavelength band of the WDM signal.

Abstract: An optical amplifier system for amplifying an input wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical signal with a first optical coupler to extract a portion of the power of the input signal, an erbium-doped fiber amplifier to generate an output signal and a second optical coupler to extract a portion of the power of the output signal. A spectral monitoring unit having a volume phase grating separates the extracted input and output signals into spectral components. A photo-detector array of the spectral monitoring unit determines the power level of the spectral components. The system further includes a controller operative to control the operation of the amplifier in response to the power levels of the spectral components.

Abstract: A device for expanding an operable wavelength band of an optical component is disclosed. The device has an optical grating configured to receive a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal. The optical grating is configured to separate the optical signal into two wavelength bands separated by a prescribed wavelength difference. The device has a focusing lens system to focus the two wavelength bands onto a receiving surface. The two wavelength bands are separated on the receiving surface by the prescribed wavelength difference in order to expand the wavelength band of the WDM signal.