US 6,285,477 B1 · Multi-wavelength light source and discrete-wavelength-variable light source

Abstract

In a light source for generating light containing multiple wavelengths substantially uniform in intensity, a wavelength demultiplexing element 10 (for example, waveguide-type wavelength selecting filter) demultiplexes input light into a plurality of wavelengths λ1 through λ32. Optical amplifiers 14-1 through 14-32 amplify outputs of the element 10 and applies them to input ports of a wavelength multiplexing element 12. The wavelength multiplexing element 12 wavelength-multiplexes their input. Output of the wavelength multiplexing element 12 is applied to a fiber coupler 16 which, in turn, applies one of its outputs to the wavelength demultiplexing element 10. The optical amplifiers 14 have a gain larger by approximately 10 dB than the loss in the optical loop made of the element 10, optical amplifier 14, element 12 and fiber coupler 16. The other output of the fiber coupler 16 is wavelength-multiplex light containing wavelengths λ1 through λ32.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A multi-wavelength light source for outputting laser light having a plurality of simultaneous different wavelengths, comprising:

wavelength demultiplexing means for demultiplexing input light into said plurality of predetermined different wavelengths;
a plurality of optical amplifying means for individually amplifying each of said predetermined different wavelengths from said wavelength demultiplexing means;
wavelength multiplexing means for wavelength-multiplexing each optical output from said optical amplifying means;
connecting means for connecting an output of said wavelength multiplexing means to an input of said wavelength demultiplexing means;
output take-out means for outputting light circulating in a loop to the exterior of said loop, said loop comprising said wavelength demultiplexing means, said optical amplifying means, said wavelength multiplexing means and said connecting means;
and
optical modulating means in said loop for intensity-modifying the circulating light in said loop in accordance with a modification signal, said modification signal having a frequency corresponding to a multiple integer of a circular frequency of said loop, said outputted light from said output take-out means being pulsating light.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-wavelength light source and discrete-wavelength-variable light source

Life of this patent

Multi-wavelength light source and discrete-wavelength-variable light source

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14