Abstract: Provided is a hybrid optical amplifier using a gain-clamped semiconductor optical amplifier enabling Raman amplification. The hybrid optical amplifier comprises a spool of optical fiber used as transmission line in the optical communication, a GCSOA amplifying optical signal input via the optical fiber and generating a self-oscillation laser beam for gain-clamping through the gain medium, and a backward pumping Raman optical amplifier inducing Raman amplification by emitting the self-oscillation laser beam generated by the GCSOA into the optical fiber. Therefore, the Raman amplification can be obtained with a relatively simple structure using the GCSOA.

Abstract: System for converting relatively long pulses from rep-rate variable ultrafast optical sources to shorter, high-energy pulses suitable for sources in high-energy ultrafast lasers. Fibers with positive group velocity dispersion (GVD) and self phase modulation are advantageously employed with the optical sources. These systems take advantage of the need for higher pulse energies at lower repetition rates so that such sources can be cost effective.

Abstract: When pump light is supplied to a transmission line fiber from a downstream station toward an upstream station and signal light from the upstream station is Raman-amplified, a corresponding intensity of amplified spontaneous scattering light is calculated from a required Raman gain by using a correlation between a Raman gain and the intensity of amplified spontaneous scattering light that occurs with Raman amplification, and further a target light intensity is calculated from the obtained intensity of the amplified spontaneous scattering light and the intensity of the amplified signal light. Then, the intensity of the pump light is controlled so that the intensity of light, which is measured by the downstream station, becomes equivalent to the target light intensity.

Abstract: A plurality of pump light sources generate plural variations of pump light having different frequencies. A modulation circuit intensity-modulates the plural variations of pump light in the predetermined periods, respectively. A pump light pair whose frequency difference equals a Raman shift frequency are modulated such that they cannot simultaneously enters an emission state. A wavelength-multiplexer wavelength-multiplexes the plural variations of pump light modulated by the modulation circuit. A optical guide device guides the plural variations of pump light wavelength-multiplexed by the wavelength-multiplexer to an optical fiber.

Abstract: An EUV light generation system and method is disclosed that may comprise a droplet generator producing plasma source material target droplets traveling toward the vicinity of a plasma source material target irradiation site; a drive laser; a drive laser focusing optical element having a first range of operating center wavelengths; a droplet detection radiation source having a second range of operating center wavelengths; a drive laser steering element comprising a material that is highly reflective within at least some part of the first range of wavelengths and highly transmissive within at least some part of the second range of center wavelengths; a droplet detection radiation aiming mechanism directing the droplet detection radiation through the drive laser steering element and the lens to focus at a selected droplet detection position intermediate the droplet generator and the irradiation site.

Abstract: In a WDM transmission system employing a plurality of short wavelength bands having great attenuation due to optical fiber transmission, an optical repeater is constructed of a first multiplexing section and a second multiplexing section. The first multiplexing section is used for wavelength-multiplexing both the excitation light from a first Raman excitation light source, which distributively amplifies an S+ band included in light propagating through an optical fiber, and the light propagating through the optical fiber. The second multiplexing section is used for wavelength-multiplexing both the excitation light from a second Raman excitation light source, which distributively amplifies an S+ band included in light propagating through an optical fiber, and the light propagating through the optical fiber. The first and second multiplexing sections are provided between the optical fibers disposed between end offices. Thus an equal and satisfactory optical SN ratio even at any band are obtained.

Abstract: An optical amplifier includes a plurality of pump light sources, an intensity modulator that modulates intensity of a pump light to be output from any one of the pump light sources, at a predetermined frequency; a photoelectric converter that converts a part of the wavelength-division multiplexed signal light Raman-amplified by the pump light to electrical signals; a gain modulation signal detector that extracts a gain modulation signal having a component of the frequency from the electrical signals; and a controller that controls only the intensity of pump lights that are output from the pump light source, of which intensity is modulated at the frequency to control Raman amplification gain so that an amplitude of the gain modulation signal becomes a predetermined value. The intensities of pump lights output from individual pump light sources are sequentially controlled to obtain a predetermined value of the Raman amplification gain.

Abstract: A Raman amplifier for amplifying a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) light including signal lights wavelength division multiplexed together. The amplifier includes an optical amplifying medium and a controller. The optical amplifying medium uses Raman amplification to amplify the WDM light in accordance with multiplexed pump lights of different wavelengths traveling through the optical amplifying medium. The WDM light is amplified in a wavelength band divided into a plurality of individual wavelength bands. The controller controls power of each pump light based on a wavelength characteristic of gain generated in the optical amplifying medium in the individual wavelength bands.

Abstract: A Raman amplifying device includes a plurality of Raman amplifiers having a gain wavelength characteristic with a gain peak at which an amplification gain becomes the largest, including a first Raman amplifier having a gain wavelength characteristic with a plurality of gain peaks including a first gain peak and a second gain peak adjacent to the first gain peak; a second Raman amplifier having a gain wavelength characteristic with at least one gain peak including a third gain peak between the first gain peak and the second gain peak; and a third Raman amplifier having a gain wavelength characteristic with a fourth gain peak between the first gain peak and the third gain peak, the fourth gain peak forming an arithmetic sequence between the first gain peak and the third gain peak.

Abstract: A bi-directional configuration is employed to implement a hybrid ultra long haul (ULH)/long haul (LH) optical transmission system. The link carries ULH channels and LH channels in opposite directions in different bands. Raman amplification is employed for the ULH band while Erbium-doped fiber amplification (EDFA) is used for both the LH and ULH bands. Optical circulators are employed for multiplexing and demultiplexing. This solution does not incur the ripple penalty of prior art solutions based on interferential filters while providing excellent isolation between the ULH and LH channels and bi-directional communication within a single fiber.

Abstract: Raman amplification is used in optical transmission systems, devices and/or components way of for applying Raman amplification avoiding or suppressing detrimental and hence undesirable non-linear effects is provided. Raman amplification in an optical device is provided by firstly determining a pump power (3) necessary for providing Raman amplification and then by providing a low spectral power density by pumping the optical device with pump power (3) at a relatively broad pump power spectrum and preferably a low spectral pump power amplitude such that the total output pump power (3) remains sufficiently high. The pump power (3) is optically attenuated prior to being coupled to the optical device.

Abstract: A multi-band hybrid amplifier is disclosed for use in optical fiber systems. The amplifier uses Raman laser pumps and semiconductor optical amplifiers in series to produce a relatively level gain across the frequency range of interest. Multiple Raman pumps are multiplexed before coupling into the fiber. The Raman amplified optical signal may be demultiplexed and separately amplified by the SOAs before re-multiplexing. Gain profiles of the Raman pumps and the SOAs are selected to compensate for gain tilt and to alleviate the power penalty due to cross-gain modulation in the SOAs. The disclosed hybrid amplifier is especially useful in coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) systems.

Abstract: An optical wavelength division multiplex transmission system (1) for transmitting optical signals (S) on a plurality of wavelength channels has a transmitting terminal (2) and a receiving terminal (3) interconnected by a transmission line (5) with at least one, preferably a plurality of optical amplifiers (4). Each of the optical amplifiers (4) comprises a Raman amplifier (6) with at least one pump light source (8.1-8.3) for pumping the transmission line (5) upstream the optical amplifier (4). It is proposed that each optical amplifier (4) comprises a single tap coupler (11) arranged downstream of the Raman amplifier (6). Optical receiving and transmitting means (14, 15) may be connected to the transmission line (5) via the tap coupler (11) for communication of data (TX, Di) between at least the transmitting terminal (2) and the optical amplifiers (4) on an optical supervisory channel (OSC) with a given wavelength.

Abstract: A Raman amplifier that amplifies a signal light intensity by using a Raman amplification effect of an optical fiber transmission channel has an excitation unit that supplies excitation lights of a plurality of wavelengths to the optical fiber transmission channel and performs Raman amplification, a signal light monitor that monitors the signal light intensity of each wavelength contained in the signal light that is Raman amplified, an output light intensity deviation monitoring circuit that finds a deviation in the intensity of each signal light detected by the signal light monitor, and an excitation light control circuit that controls an excitation light intensity from excitation light sources of each wavelength constituting the excitation unit so as to correspond to a predetermined characteristic based on a deviation of the intensity of signal light found by the output light intensity deviation monitoring circuit.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical transmission system which allows to perform high-quality transmission of each of a plurality of signal channels multiplexed. In the optical transmission system, signal light in which a plurality of signal channels with an optical frequency spacing of 400 GHz or more but 12.5 THz or less is transmitted from an optical transmitter to a Raman amplifier through an optical fiber transmission line. In the Raman amplifier, pumping light from a pumping light source unit is supplied to an optical fiber through an optical coupler. The multiplexed signal light inputted to the Raman amplifier arrives at the optical fiber through an optical isolator and optical coupler, and Raman-amplified by the optical fiber. The Raman-amplified multiplexed signal light is outputted from the Raman amplifier through an optical coupler and optical isolator.

Abstract: Provided are a broadband light source suitable for a pump light module for Raman amplification and a Raman amplifier which uses such light source. The broadband light source comprises a light source system for emitting light having two or more different output peak wavelengths and a nonlinear medium having an input port and an output port, and the nonlinear medium affords nonlinear effect on light emitted from the light source system and input from the input port, and outputs the resultant light as pump light from the output port. The Raman amplifier, which comprises an optical fiber for Raman amplification, a multiplexing module, and the broadband light source of the present invention, amplifies signal light propagating through the optical fiber for Raman amplification.

Abstract: In an optical amplifier of the present invention, an input light is supplied to one end of an optical fiber connected to an output port, and the power of a light In an opposite direction which is input to the output port from the one end of the optical fiber, is measured, thereby obtaining a stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) occurrence threshold in the optical fiber based on the measurement result. Then, using the SBS occurrence threshold, a relation been the input light power and an occurrence amount of the self phase modulation (SPM) or the like in the optical fiber is obtained to be reflected on a control of the optical amplifier, so that an occurrence of the SPM or the like in the optical fiber is suppressed.

Abstract: An optical transmission system wherein a main signal light is amplified by Raman amplification, and noise light (ASS light) produced by the Raman amplification can be corrected with a simple configuration and with high accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Raman amplifier where flexibility in device design considering both of Raman amplification and dispersion compensation is high. In the Raman amplifier, the Raman amplification optical fiber included in the optical amplification section and the dispersion compensating optical fiber included in the dispersion compensation section are arranged while being optically connected to each other. Since the optical amplification section and the dispersion compensation section are provided as independent optical devices, one device can be designed without being restricted to the design conditions of the other device.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a specimen, such as a semiconductor wafer, is provided. The apparatus comprises a laser energy source, such as a deep ultraviolet (DUV) energy source and an optical fiber arrangement. The optical fiber arrangement comprises a core surrounded by a plurality of optical fibers structures used to frequency broaden energy received from the laser energy source into frequency broadened radiation. The frequency broadened radiation is employed as an illumination source for inspecting the specimen. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a central core and a plurality of structures generally surrounding the central core, the plurality of fibers surround a hollow core fiber filled with a gas at high pressure, a tapered photonic fiber, and/or a spider web photonic crystalline fiber, configured to receive light energy and produce frequency broadened radiation for inspecting the specimen.

Abstract: A system for applying a laser beam to work pieces, includes a laser system producing a high power output beam. Target delivery optics are arranged to deliver the output beam to a target work piece. A relay telescope having a telescope focal point is placed in the beam path between the laser system and the target delivery optics. The relay telescope relays an image between an image location near the output of the laser system and an image location near the target delivery optics. A baffle is placed at the telescope focal point between the target delivery optics and the laser system to block reflections from the target in the target delivery optics from returning to the laser system and causing damage.

Abstract: A system and method for providing eye-safety protection during operation of distributed Raman amplifiers based on the application of continuous out-of-band amplified spontaneous scattering (ASS) monitoring in an optical communication network span coupled to the Raman amplifier, and real-time detection and analysis of changes in the monitored ASS power level, The system includes at least one Raman pump for introducing Raman energy into the span, a monitoring unit for performing the continuous ASS monitoring, and a control unit operative to detect and analyze in real-time changes in the ASS power, and upon determination that such changes indicate an open span, to reduce the level of the Raman pump energy entering the span to a safe level.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for controlling a gain of a bidirectionally-pumped Raman fiber amplifier having both forward optical pumps and backward optical pumps. The overall gain is controlled by adjusting the forward optical pumps, while the power levels of the backward optical pumps are essentially fixed. Gain circuitry operates in an opened loop configuration and uses a predetermined function relating a power variation of at least one wavelength region with a pump power adjustment for at least one forward optical pump. Two approximate linear relationships between the input signal power variations and the required pump power adjustments are utilized in controlling the Raman fiber amplifier. Each approximate linear relationship includes at least one linear coefficient that relates a power variation for a specific wavelength region and a power adjustment of a specific Raman pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for controlling a gain of a bidirectionally-pumped Raman fiber amplifier having both forward optical pumps and backward optical pumps. The overall gain is controlled by adjusting the forward optical pumps, while the power levels of the backward optical pumps are essentially fixed. Gain circuitry operates in an opened loop configuration and uses a predetermined function relating a power variation of at least one wavelength region with a pump power adjustment for at least one forward optical pump. Two approximate linear relationships between the input signal power variations and the required pump power adjustments are utilized in controlling the Raman fiber amplifier. Each approximate linear relationship includes at least one linear coefficient that relates a power variation for a specific wavelength region and a power adjustment of a specific Raman pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for controlling a gain of a bidirectionally-pumped Raman fiber amplifier having both forward optical pumps and backward optical pumps. The overall gain is controlled by adjusting the forward optical pumps, while the power levels of the backward optical pumps are essentially fixed. Gain circuitry operates in an opened loop configuration and uses a predetermined function relating a power variation of at least one wavelength region with a pump power adjustment for at least one forward optical pump. Two approximate linear relationships between the input signal power variations and the required pump power adjustments are utilized in controlling the Raman fiber amplifier. Each approximate linear relationship includes at least one linear coefficient that relates a power variation for a specific wavelength region and a power adjustment of a specific Raman pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for controlling a gain of a bidirectionally-pumped Raman fiber amplifier having both forward optical pumps and backward optical pumps. The overall gain is controlled by adjusting the forward optical pumps, while the power levels of the backward optical pumps are essentially fixed. Gain circuitry operates in an opened loop configuration and uses a predetermined function relating a power variation of at least one wavelength region with a pump power adjustment for at least one forward optical pump. Two approximate linear relationships between the input signal power variations and the required pump power adjustments are utilized in controlling the Raman fiber amplifier. Each approximate linear relationship includes at least one linear coefficient that relates a power variation for a specific wavelength region and a power adjustment of a specific Raman pump.

Abstract: A communication system for distributed Raman amplification of optical signals is disclosed. The communication system comprises a first fiber span, a second fiber span, and an amplifier system. The amplifier system generates a light beam and splits the light beam into a first portion and a second portion. The amplifier system transfers the first portion of the light beam onto the first fiber span so that the first portion of the light beam backward propagates over the first fiber span. The amplifier system transfers the second portion of the light beam onto the second fiber span so that the second portion of the light beam forward propagates over the second fiber span.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for transmitting a WDM optical signal. The method begins by modulating a plurality of optical channels that are each located at a different wavelength from one another with (1) a respective one of a plurality of information-bearing electrical signals that all embody the same broadcast information and (2) a respective one of a plurality of RF signals having a common functional broadcast waveform, at least one of the RF signals being out of phase with respect to remaining ones of the plurality of RF signals. Each of the modulated optical channels are multiplexed to form a WDM optical signal. The WDM optical signal is forwarded onto an optical transmission path.

Abstract: A semiconductor based Raman laser and/or amplifier with reduced two-photon absorption generated carrier lifetimes. An apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention includes optical waveguide disposed in semiconductor material and a diode structure disposed in the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide is to be coupled to a pump laser to receive a first optical beam having a first wavelength and a first power level to result in emission of a second optical beam of a second wavelength in the semiconductor waveguide. The diode structure is to be biased to sweep out free carriers from the optical waveguide generated in response to two photon absorption in the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A multiple-wavelength-pumped Raman amplifier includes a control unit that controls, based on a relational expression associating an amount of fluctuation in a current signal light power at a signal input end, an amount of fluctuation in a current pumping light power at a pumping light input end, an amount of fluctuation in the current signal power at a signal output end, and an amount of fluctuation in the current pumping light power at a pumping light output end, two fluctuation amounts by determining other two fluctuation amounts in advance, to determine pumping light powers satisfying the relational expression.

Abstract: An optical resonant modulator includes an optical ring resonator and an optical loop that is coupled to the optical ring resonator by two couplers. The optical ring resonator can have a hybrid design in which the ring resonator is formed on an electro-optically passive material and the optical loop is formed on an electro-optically active material. An amplification section can be inserted between the electro-optically passive and the electro-optically active sections. In analog applications, an optical resonator includes a Mach Zehnder interferometer section having an input and an output, with a feedback path coupling the output to the input. Applications of the optical modulator of the invention, and a method for modulating an optical signal also are disclosed.

Abstract: A light source includes a wavelength shifter that is capable of shifting a shorter optical signal wavelength to a longer optical signal wavelength based at least in part on a Raman effect in a waveguide. The wavelength shifter includes a pump laser that operable to produce the shorter optical signal wavelength. The wavelength shifter also includes an intermediate stage that is coupled to the pump laser and capable of producing an intermediate optical signal wavelength. The intermediate optical signal wavelength is longer than the shorter optical signal wavelength. The wavelength shifter further includes a final stage capable of generating the longer optical signal wavelength. The final stage includes at least in part a ZBLAN waveguide and wherein the longer optical signal wavelength is greater than 1.7 microns and is greater than the intermediate pump signal wavelength.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser module has a semiconductor laser device; a package for housing the semiconductor laser device; a PBC fixed in the package for polarization-synthesizing two laser beams output from the semiconductor laser device; a depolarizing element fixed in the package for depolarizing a synthesizing light output from the PBC; and an optical fiber for receiving a light output from the depolarizing element.

Abstract: An optical amplification apparatus includes a polarizing beam splitter for reflecting a portion of an incident light and transmitting a remaining portion of the incident light, depending upon a polarized state of the incident light, at least two optical amplification means each including a first polarizing plate which makes polarized states of the light before and after the light reflected from the polarizing beam splitter reciprocatingly passes through the first polarizing plate, to be orthogonal to each other, an amplitude division plate for amplitude-dividing the light having passed through the first polarizing plate, into first and second lights, and optical amplifiers for respectively amplifying the first and second lights which are amplitude-divided by the amplitude division plate. The optical amplification means are located such that the light output from upstream optical amplification means is incident upon the polarizing beam splitter included in downstream optical amplification means.

Abstract: A Raman amplifier having at least a first and a second optical Raman-active fiber disposed in series with each other is disclosed. A first pump source is connected to the first Raman-active fiber, and is adapted for emitting and coupling into the first Raman-active fiber a first pump radiation including a first group of frequencies. A second pump source is connected to the second Raman-active fiber, and is adapted for emitting and coupling into the second Raman-active fiber a second pump radiation including a second group of frequencies. The whole of the first and second group of frequencies extends over a pump frequency range having a width of at least 40% of the Raman shift. The minimum and the maximum frequency in each of the first and second group of frequencies differ from each other by at most 70% of the Raman shift.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for determining the gain spectrum of a Raman amplifier having an optical amplifier, which is connected in incoming circuit thereto, in a section of a WDM transmission system. A number of spectra are recorded at the output of the Raman amplifier during which the optical amplifier or the Raman amplifier is switched on and off and a high amplified spontaneous emission is generated at the input of the Raman amplifier. Afterwards, the gain spectrum is determined on the basis of the recorded spectra.

Abstract: An optical fiber for Raman amplification amplifies a signal light with a pumping light. A chromatic dispersion at a wavelength of 1,550 nm is in a range between ?70 ps/nm/km and ?30 ps/nm/km. Raman gain efficiency with a pumping light of 1,450 nm is equal to or more than 5 (W×km)?1. Nonlinear coefficient at the wavelength of 1,550 nm is equal to or less than 5.0×10?9 W?1. Zero-dispersion wavelength is neither at a wavelength of the signal light nor at a wavelength of the pumping light. Cut-off wavelength is equal to or less than the wavelength of the pumping light.

Abstract: In a WDM optical communication system in which an optical lossy medium, optical amplifiers and Raman amplifiers for compensating for loss in the optical lossy medium are cascade-connected, means are provided for acquiring the state of use of a Raman amplifier, at a node the same as that of the optical amplifier, in a link opposing a link in which the optical amplifier resides, or the state of use of a Raman amplifier at a node downstream of the optical amplifier. Whether the optical amplifier is to be made to perform a slope correction is decided based upon the state of use of the Raman amplifier.

Abstract: An amplification medium is inputted thereto first lights and second lights, polarizations of which are orthogonal. A pumping means inputs first pump lights coinciding with the polarization of the first lights, and second pump lights coinciding with the polarization of the second lights to the amplification medium. The gain of a wavelength or wavelength band of a certain light can be efficiently controlled, simply and independently, without affecting the other wavelengths or wavelength bands.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a Raman amplifier capable of easily reducing the wavelength deviation of a Raman gain while suppressing system performance degradation, and an optical transmission system using such a Raman amplifier.

Abstract: A Raman amplification repeater using the amplification function of a signal light caused by Raman scattering which occurs when a pumping light is applied to a transmission path fiber, in which signal light power is monitored by means of a plurality of PDs by using wavelengths for monitoring whose number is larger than the number of pumping light wavelengths to control output power of a pumping light LD which emits the pumping light.

Abstract: In one of several embodiments, a method of communicating optical signals comprises communicating a plurality of optical signals over an optical communications medium, wherein each of at least some of the plurality of optical signals comprises a launch power that is a function of a noise property measured at or near a center wavelength of that signal. Launch powers of the plurality of optical signals primarily decrease with increasing center wavelengths of the plurality of optical signals.

Abstract: An optical signal amplifier comprises a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier SOA used as semiconductor Amplified Spontaneous Emission ASE source. This SOA produces optical pumping seed which has to be amplified to get a large pump power. With such large pump power, it will be possible to counteract the loss in a fiber link of optical signals transmitted through it by applying said amplified pumping seed as Raman amplification on the optical signals. The invention further relates to a method for amplifying an optical signal comprising the combination of a semiconductor ASE source together with a high-power pump source. Latter will be used to amplify optical pumping seed to be produced by the semi-conductor ASE source. Accordingly, the obtained amplified pumping seed will be used to act as a Raman amplification of optical signals.

Abstract: An adaptive dispersion compensation system that also achieves optical amplification by inducing Raman amplification effects in dispersion compensating fiber. This amplification/chromatic dispersion compensation architecture may be applied, e.g., at the end of an all-optical link, or an intermediate points along the link. By varying the length of dispersion compensating fiber used and the pump power, one may accommodate a wide range of dispersion compensation requirements as determined in the field. This scheme also provides all of the advantages typically provided by the use of Raman amplification.

Abstract: A method for remodulation of a modulated optical signal is disclosed which uses a disturbed line signal and an optical clock signal derived from the undisturbed original line signal modulated with the bitrate frequency feeding both signals in a Raman amplifying fiber connected to at least one Raman pump running the clock signal as Raman pump wavelength for the line signal.

Abstract: Provided is a physical quantity measuring method using a Brillouin optical fiber sensor. An optical fiber is set on a structure and a pair of pulse lights having different pulse widths is selected. The pulse lights are sequentially transmitted through the optical fiber to obtain back scattering lights and Brillouin gain spectra. The Brillouin gain spectra are compared to each other to calculate a normalized spectrum and a Brillouin frequency is acquired based on the normalized spectrum. The Brillouin frequency is multiplied by a conversion factor of a corresponding physical quantity of the structure to obtain the physical quantity. Accordingly, a portion of the optical fiber from which a sensing signal can be acquired is shortened to improve spatial resolution.

Abstract: A pumping light source unit for Raman amplification includes at least one pumping light source that outputs a first pumping light covering a current amplification band; at least one additional pumping light source that outputs a second pumping light covering an amplification band to be extended; and a setting control unit that controls a setting for a gain of an entire amplification band by resetting outputs of the first pumping light and the second pumping light. The pumping light source unit has a function of extending the amplification band in a stepwise manner.

Abstract: A laser light source outputs a virtually linearly-polarized light beam that has plural mode components arranged at an interval of an almost equal angular frequency. A polarization dispersion device is connected to the laser light source in such a way that a polarization axis of the polarization dispersion device is at 45° with respect to a polarization axis of the light beam output from the laser light source. This polarization dispersion device effects on the light beam output from the laser light source a polarization mode dispersion that is not in the vicinity of (2?/??), where ?? is a mode interval angular frequency.

Abstract: An optical communications system initiates automatic power reduction by selecting a portion of a Raman optical pumping signal from optical signals propagating on an optical fiber span. A signal related to a magnitude of the selected portion of the Raman optical pumping signal is generated. Power of at least one of the optical data signals and the optical pumping signals propagating in the optical fiber span is reduced in response to the generated signal.

Abstract: An optical node is configured to enable time-division distribution of pump light for effectively utilizing pump power. The optical node is provided with an excitation light source unit for Raman amplification, outputting Raman excitation light of a plurality of wavelengths; a control unit outputting the Raman excitation light of the plurality of wavelengths, wavelength by wavelength on a time division basis; and a Raman amplifier distributing and feeding the Raman excitation light of the plurality of wavelengths, wavelength by wavelength on a time division basis, in the opposite direction to the signal light transmission direction. In each receiving port, a period of the Raman excitation light being output wavelength by wavelength on a time division basis is set shorter than a signal light response time in the Raman amplifier to the Raman excitation light.