Abstract: Fiber optic communication links are disclosed, employing non-invasive fiber optic amplification technology. An amplifier stage is provided having a plurality of signal paths into which differing wavelength windows of an input optical signal are demultiplexed. At least one of the paths (e.g., 1310 nm) includes a fiber optic and an associated fiber optic amplifier. A channel overlay waveguide is employed for amplification of optical energy evanescently coupled to the overlay waveguide from the fiber optic. One of two amplification methods can be employed. The first involves inducing stimulated emission with the overlay waveguide and the second uses a second order, non-linear frequency conversion to down-convert a high-power, short-wavelength pump signal into the waveguide to amplify the optical energy coupled thereto. Amplification of optical energy in the channel overlay waveguide can be established within a single beat length of evanescent removal to evanescent return of the optical energy to the fiber optic.

Abstract: A side-polished fiber/overlay waveguide architecture and process for non-invasively implementing an optical amplifier are provided for an optical communications system. A "channel" overlay waveguide is employed to constrain for amplification optical energy evanescently coupled to the overlay waveguide from the side-polished optical fiber. One of two amplification methods can be employed. The first involves inducing stimulated emission with the overlay waveguide and the second uses a second order, non-linear frequency conversion to down-convert a high-power, short-wavelength pump signal into the waveguide to amplify the optical energy coupled thereto. Amplification of optical energy in the channel overlay waveguide can be established within a single beat length of evanescent removal to evanescent return of the optical energy to the side-polished fiber optic.

Abstract: A side-polished fiber/overlay waveguide architecture and process for non-invasively implementing an optical amplifier are provided for an optical communications system. A "channel" overlay waveguide is employed to constrain for amplification optical energy evanescently coupled to the overlay waveguide from the side-polished optical fiber. The overlay waveguide exhibits a non-linear response of second order, and non-linear frequency conversion is employed to down-convert a high-power, short-wavelength pump signal into the waveguide to amplify the optical energy coupled thereto. The channel overlay waveguide is dimensioned to allow for phase matching between highest order modes of the optical signal within the side-polished fiber optic and the pump signal provided to the channel overlay waveguide. A low-index matching layer is disposed between the channel overlay waveguide and the side-polished fiber optic to facilitate phase matching of the propagation modes.