Abstract: A method of managing an optical communications network comprising a plurality of nodes interconnected by optical sections. The method comprises: identifying one or more pairs of adjacent DL-equipped nodes at which dummy light (DL) hardware is deployed, respective dummy light (DL) hardware being deployed at fewer than the plurality of the nodes of the optical communications network, the respective DL hardware deployed at a particular node configured to supply dummy light to each optical section extending from the particular node, and defining a respective single-section DL path between each identified pair of adjacent DL-equipped nodes; identifying one or more pairs of non-adjacent DL-equipped nodes at which DL hardware is deployed, and defining a respective multi-section DL path between each identified pair of non-adjacent DL-equipped nodes; and causing the deployed DL hardware to supply DL light to each of the single- and the multi-section DL paths.

Abstract: A method of managing an optical communications network comprising a plurality of nodes interconnected by optical sections. The method comprises: identifying one or more pairs of adjacent DL-equipped nodes at which dummy light (DL) hardware is deployed, respective dummy light (DL) hardware being deployed at fewer than the plurality of the nodes of the optical communications network, the respective DL hardware deployed at a particular node configured to supply dummy light to each optical section extending from the particular node, and defining a respective single-section DL path between each identified pair of adjacent DL-equipped nodes; identifying one or more pairs of non-adjacent DL-equipped nodes at which DL hardware is deployed, and defining a respective multi-section DL path between each identified pair of non-adjacent DL-equipped nodes; and causing the deployed DL hardware to supply DL light to each of the single- and the multi-section DL paths.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide systems and methods which avoid the negative effects of Spectral Hole Burning when spectral changes are made for an optical communication system (OCS). Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to methods and systems which preform spectral holes for the range of wavelength channels expected to be used in the OCS. Embodiments include a configurable idle tone source for providing power to each of a set of idle tone wavelengths distributed across the spectral band used in the optical communication system. The configurable idle tone source is communicatively coupled to an output fiber of an optical network element and controlled such that optical power is present in the output optical fiber at each one of the set of idle tone wavelengths.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide systems and methods which avoid the negative effects of Spectral Hole Burning when spectral changes are made for an optical communication system (OCS). Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to methods and systems which preform spectral holes for the range of wavelength channels expected to be used in the OCS. Embodiments include a configurable idle tone source for providing power to each of a set of idle tone wavelengths distributed across the spectral band used in the optical communication system. The configurable idle tone source is communicatively coupled to an output fiber of an optical network element and controlled such that optical power is present in the output optical fiber at each one of the set of idle tone wavelengths.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provided systems and methods which mitigate negative effects of Spectral Hole Burning when spectral changes are made. Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to methods and systems which preform spectral holes for the range of wavelength channels expected to be used in the optical communication system. In some embodiments this is achieved by controlling the network to ensure optical power is provided at each of a set of idle tone wavelengths distributed across the spectral band used in the optical communication system. In some embodiments a routing and spectrum assignment function satisfies new service requests while maintaining power to the set of idle tone wavelength functions. In some embodiments a network control function configures Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers to broadcast idle tone wavelengths to provide power to each idle tone in each section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for regenerating optical signals by intensity modulation and phase modulation of the optical signals, said device including: a mode locking laser for recovering a clock signal representing the clock of the bits of the optical signals to be regenerated, and a modulation interferometer structure having a first interferometer arm and a second interferometer arm, enabling amplitude modulation and phase modulation of optical signals by said clock signal, and including a semiconductor amplifier in the first interferometer arm. The mode locking laser is coupled to said first interferometer arm so that said amplifier of the first interferometer arm is a common component of the mode locking laser and said interferometer structure.

Abstract: An optical signal regeneration device having an interferometric structure with two arms. Each of the arms has a medium, the optical power output of which is variable with the optical power input. The first arm receives, through an input coupler, a continuous wave and the signal to be regenerated. The second arm receives through the input coupler, a continuous wave signal and a clock signal. A filter, centered on the continuous wave wavelength, receives the output signal of the interferometric structure through the coupler. The filter output signal constitutes the regenerated 3R signal.

Abstract: Optical device (1) for the differentiation of a first optical signal and an optical signal lagging behind the first, in which the differentiation is represented by a signal carried by a continuous wave passing through the two arms (5, 6) of an interferometer comprising media with an index that depends on the optical power passing through them. The delayed signal is the first signal fed back to one of the arms through a delay (7).

Abstract: An optical signal regenerator includes a mechanism for reconstituting an optical signal carrier wave. The optical signal is thus regenerated on the same wavelength as the incoming carrier wave.

Abstract: To format a power modulated input optical signal, at the same time as improving its power dynamic range and the extinction rate of the output signal, a device for formatting binary optical signals includes a first stage for supplying a modulating signal having stabilized high levels as a function of the input signal and an interferometer structure second stage receiving the modulating signal and a probe wave power modulated in phase opposition to the modulation of the modulating signal. The low and high levels of the probe wave are stabilized. Applications include optical transmission.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for regenerating optical signals by intensity modulation and phase modulation of the optical signals, said device including:

Abstract: An optical signal regeneration device comprises an interferometric structure having two arms (11, 12). Each of the arms (11, 12) comprises a medium the optical power output of which is variable with the optical power input. The first arm (11) receives, through input coupling means (13), a continuous wave and the signal to be regenerated. The second arm receives through input coupling means (13) the continuous wave and a clock signal. A filter 21, centered on the continuous wave wavelength, receives through coupling means (14), the output signal of the interferometric structure (10). The filter output signal constitutes the regenerated 3R signal.

Abstract: An active structure in the semiconductor die of an amplifier or converter includes a plurality of stacked active layers with different compositions. The different compositions lead to a spectral offset between the respective gain bands of the layers which widens the gain band of the amplifier or the optical bandwidth of the converter. Applications include fiber optic telecommunication networks.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical component based on semi-conductor optical amplifiers in which the number of independent electrodes is reduced. The component has different regions (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) with the same vertical structure wherein an active waveguide (20) is buried between the upper and lower buffer layers. These regions each have lower and upper electrodes (10, E2, E4) for the purpose of injecting into them equal or different values of current density. This component is characterized in that at least one (10) of the said electrodes covers a number of regions (1, 3, 5) and has distributed resistivity which is adjusted depending on the region under consideration.

Abstract: To increase its saturation threshold very strongly without degrading its gain, whilst remaining compatible with any semiconductor amplifier structure or technology, a semiconductor optical amplifier includes an input coupler having an input port and g output ports and an output coupler having g input ports and one output port. The q output ports of the input coupler are respectively connected to the q input ports of the output coupler by q semiconductor optical amplifiers having the same amplification characteristics. Applications include transmission of optical signals and to producing "all optical" switching devices.

Abstract: An integrated interferometer structure, in particular for optical signal wavelength converters, includes a first branch and a second branch including at least a first semiconductor optical amplifier coupled to input and/or output peripheral semiconductor optical amplifiers. The structure includes an attenuation section between the output of at least one amplifier of one branch and the input of the output peripheral amplifier and/or the length of the waveguide of at least one peripheral amplifier is less than 300 .mu.m. Applications in telecommunications, in particular for routing signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to wavelength converters for optical signals, as used in telecommunications, in particular for routing signals. The invention relates in particular to a wavelength converter including an interferometer structure for delivering an output optical signal, in which converter first and second branches, including at least one first semiconductor optical amplifier, are coupled to input peripheral semiconductor optical amplifiers and/or to an output peripheral semiconductor optical amplifier, wherein the structure of the active waveguide of at least one peripheral amplifier is so designed that it has a ratio of active area to confinement factor greater than that of the active waveguide of said first amplifier.