Compact optical amplifier with integrated optical waveguide and pump source

A method for optically amplifying an input optical signal applied to an optical signal input port of an amplifier housing, the method comprising:

• generating an optical pump signal in the housing;
• applying the optical pump signal to a channel waveguide chip in the housing to facilitate amplification of the input optical signal into an amplified, output optical signal to be applied to an optical signal output port of the housing;
• and
• wherein the channel waveguide chip comprises:
• a linear core having an input end for receiving an input optical signal, and an output end for producing the amlified, output optical signal;
• a surface through which the optical pump signal is received, wherein the surface is arranged at an approximately 45 degree angle with the linear core, and wherein an optical pump source in the housing transmits the optical pump signal at approximately a 90 degree angle with the core;
• and
• a reflective coating applied over the surface to reflect the optical pump signal into the linear core.

A method for fabricating an optical amplifier, comprising:

• providing a housing having optical signal input and output ports;
• positioning a channel waveguide chip in said housing for optically amplifying an input optical signal from said input port using an optical pump signal applied thereto thereby producing an amplified output optical signal to be applied to the optical signal output port of the housing;
• positioning an optical pump source in said housing for generating the optical pump signal;
• and
• wherein the channel waveguide chip comprises:
• a linear core having an input end for receiving an input optical signal, and an output end for producing the amplified, output optical signal;
• a surface through which the optical pump signal is received, wherein the surface is arranged at an approximately 45 degree angle with the linear core, and wherein the optical pump source transmits the optical pump signal at approximately a 90 degree angle with the core;
• and
• a reflective coating applied over the surface to reflect the optical pump signal into the linear core.