Linear optical amplifier
AssigneeAT&T Corp.
InventorDavid A. B. Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical amplifier includes a photodetector such as a photodiode for receiving an optical input signal to be amplified. An electro-absorption modulator is responsive to a photocurrent generated by the photodetector such that the modulator absorbs a portion of an optical beam transmitted therethrough in an amount proportional to an amplified replica of the photocurrent. The remaining portion of the beam transmitted through the modulator forms a signal that is an inverted, amplified replica of the input signal.
Claims18
An inverting optical amplifier comprising:
- a photodetector for receiving an optical input signal;
- a current amplifier electrically coupled to said photodetector for receiving a photocurrent generated by said photodetector;
- and
- an electro-absorption modulator electrically coupled to said current amplifier for receiving a current from said current amplifier.
An inverting optical amplifier comprising:
- a photodetector for receiving an optical input signal;
- means, responsive to said photodetector, for amplifying a photocurrent generated by said photodetector;
- and
- means for absorbing a portion of an optical beam in an amount proportional to a current received from said amplifying means.
An inverting optical amplifier comprising:
- a photodetector for receiving an optical input signal;
- and
- an electro-absorption modulator responsive to a photocurrent generated by the photodetector such that said modulator absorbs a portion of an optical beam transmitted therethrough in an amount proportional to an amplified replica of the photocurrent.
An apparatus comprising:
- a photodetector for receiving an optical input signal;
- a current source electrically coupled to said photodetector for providing gain to a photocurrent generated by said photodetector;
- and
- an electro-absorption modulator electrically coupled to said current source for receiving a current from said current source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.