Abstract: An optical network includes interconnected via an N×N WDM router. The nodes are connected to an optical waveguide ring having a duplex structure. A first set of optical waveguides connects the transmitters in the nodes and a second set of optical waveguides connects the receivers in the nodes. The N×N wavelength router is connected across the ring between the first set of optical waveguides and the second set of optical waveguides. Each of the nodes is able to communicate with any other of the nodes on a respective wavelength channel via the router.

Abstract: It has been demonstrated that B containing glasses are sensitive to radiation in the band 225-275 nm and, therefore, B2O3 glasses are particularly adapted to receive refractive index modulation, e.g., to make reflection gratings. Glasses containing SiO2 and B2O3 are particularly suitable when the grating is to be localized in the cladding of a fiber. Glasses containing SiO2, GeO2, and B2O3 are suitable when the grating is in the path region of a waveguide, e.g., in the core of a fiber.

Abstract: Boron containing glasses are sensitive to radiation in the band 225-275 nm and therefore, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 glasses are particularly adapted to receive refractive index modulation, e.g., to make reflection gratings. Glasses containing SiO.sub.2 and B.sub.2 O.sub.3 are particularly suitable when the grating is to be localized in the cladding of a fibre. Glasses containing SiO.sub.2, GeO.sub.2 and B.sub.2 O.sub.3 are suitable when the grating is in the path region of a waveguide, e.g., in the core of a fibre.

Abstract: It has been demonstrated that B containing glasses are sensitive to radiation in the band 225-275 nm and, therefore, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 glasses are particularly adapted to receive refractive index modulation, e.g., to make reflection gratings. Glasses containing SiO.sub.2 and B.sub.2 O.sub.3 are particularly suitable when the grating is to be localized in the cladding of a fiber. Glasses containing SiO.sub.2, GeO.sub.2, and B.sub.2 O.sub.3 are suitable when the grating is in the path region of a waveguide, e.g., in the core of a fiber.

Abstract: A high power monomode laser arrangement is able to manipulate the output from a high power laser diode array pump source using a computer-generated hologram to launch a high proportion of the pump source light into a multimode fibre portion including input reflector. A monomode fibre portion with the same fundamental-mode spot size as the multimode fibre portion is optically coupled to the multimode fibre portion and includes a reflector which reflects only the fundamental mode of the multimode and monomode fibre portions. The fundamental mode reflection forced by the monomode fibre portion provides the feedback necessary to force predominantly fundamental mode oscillation which enables stimulated emission in only the fundamental mode.

Abstract: A filter has a preselected attenuation/wavelength characteristic, in which spatially separated parts of the filter attenuate different wavelengths. The spatially-separated parts have different attenuation characteristics to attenuate different wavelengths in a predetermined manner to provide a selected attenuation/wavelength characteristic. In one arrangement an interference type filter includes a grating, the pitch of which varies spatially. In one instance, the structure to determine the proportion of radiation subject to interference includes a grating of spatially-varying effectiveness, but alternatively it may include an attenuation filter, the attenuation effect of the attenuation layer varying spatially. In another arrangement, the filter may include structure to separate received radiation into a spatially-disposed spectrum, and to attenuate different parts of the spatially-disposed spectrum in such a manner as to provide the selected attenuation/wavelength characteristic.

Abstract: An optical fibre amplifier (50) comprises a SiO.sub.2 --Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --GeO.sub.2 single-mode optical fibre (52) doped with E.sub.r.sup.3+. It is pumped by 1.55 .mu.m and 1.47 .mu.m optical sources (54 and 56) whose optical outputs are combined by an optical coupler (58) and are then coupled to the fibre (52) by a further optical coupler (50). A source of optical signals to be amplified (62) is also coupled to the fibre (52) by the further coupler (60). The E.sub.r.sup.3+ ions provide a three-level lasing scheme with a fluorescence peak at about 1.53 .mu.m. Low noise amplification of optical signals in the long-wavelength tail of the fluorescence spectrum with suppressed ASE at the fluorescence spectrums peak wavelength is obtained as follows. The 1.47 .mu.m pump provides some low noise amplification of the optical signal but preferentially amplifies the 1.55 .mu.m pump source. The resultant 1.55 .mu.

Abstract: A high power monomode laser arrangement is able to manipulate the output from a high power laser diode array pump source 3 using a computer-generated hologram 4 to launch a high proportion of the pump source light into a multimode fiber portion including in input reflector 6. A monomode fiber portion 2 with the same fundamental-mode spot size as the multimode fiber portion 1 is optically coupled to the multimode fiber portion and includes a reflector 5 which reflects only the fundamental mode of the multimode and monomode fiber portions. The fundamental mode reflection forced by the monomode fiber portion 2 provides the feedback necessary to force predominantly fundamental mode oscillation which enables stimulated emission in only the fundamental mode.

Abstract: An optical fibre is fixed against a first face of a prism. A coherent beam of optical radiation is directed at the prism such that a portion B propagates directly to the first face while a second portion propagates via total internal reflection at a second face. The interference of the two portions creates a refractive index grating in the fibre at a wavelength longer than that of the radiation. The method provides a stable and simple method of sidewriting of waveguide gratings.

Abstract: A laser amplifier having an improved pump efficiency for a given pump power comprises a pump source (46) longitudinally coupled at a plurality of coupling points (47, 48, 49) to an optical fibre (41). By thus coupling the pump power into the fibre (41), a fraction of the pump power is applied to the fibre (41) at each of the coupling points (47, 48, 49). A significant improvement in pump efficiency may be achieved in this way.

Abstract: The invention relates to laser systems of the type comprising optical fiber amplifiers. A laser system comprises a first laser 1 and a second laser 2. The second laser 2 is pumped at a first wavelength .lambda..sub.1 and caused to lase at a second wavelength .lambda..sub.2. The first laser 1 has absorption bands .lambda..sub.1 and .lambda..sub.2. The output .lambda..sub.2 of laser 2 and the remnant pump at .lambda..sub.1 are coupled and both are used to pump the first laser 1, thus causing laser 1 to lase at a third wavelength .lambda..sub.3.

Abstract: An optical fibre for use in fibre lasers has the lasing additive eg Er.sup.3+, concentrated in center of the core. Preferably the core has an inner region which contains the additive and an outer region which is dopant free. The concentration of the dopant reduces the pump threshold for a laser and improves the gain performance for a given pump power. The fibre is conveniently made in MCVD. The use of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the inner zone appears to reduce loss of dopant during tube collapse.

Abstract: An optical fibre for use in fibre lasers has the lasing additive eg Er.sup.3+, concentrated in center of the core. Preferably the core has an inner region which contains the additive and an outer region which is dopant free. The concentration of the dopant reduces the pump threshold for a laser and improves the gain performance for a given pump power. The fibre is conveniently made in MCVD. The use of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the inner zone appears to reduce loss of dopant during tube collapse.