Optical amplifier with internal input signal monitoring tap

A single optical amplifier, comprising:

• a rare-earth-doped optical fiber for optically amplifying a signal propagating in said fiber and having an optical amplification gain profile including a substantially linear first portion and a non-linear second portion;
• a source of pump light to pump said second portion;
• and
• an optical tap, including a monitor port, said optical tap being disposed along said optical fiber for diverting a portion of said optical signal for monitoring characteristics of said optical signal, wherein said optical tap is disposed along a length of said fiber that imparts amplification from said substantially linear first portion of said optical amplification profile, wherein said first portion is pumped by excess pump power through said second portion.

A single optical amplifier, comprising:

• a rare-earth-doped optical fiber having an optical amplification gain profile including a substantially linear first portion and a non-linear second portion;
• a source of pump light to pump said second portion;
• and
• an optical tap, including a monitor port, said optical tap being disposed along said optical fiber diverting a portion of an optical signal propagating in said fiber to a monitor port, wherein said optical tap is disposed along a length of said fiber that imparts amplification from said substantially linear portion of said optical amplification profile, wherein said first portion is pumped by excess pump power through said second portion.