Wide bandwidth raman amplifier having a substantially flat gain profile
AssigneeTyco Telecommunications (US) Inc.
InventorHoward Kidorf
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A Raman amplifier is provided that includes at least a portion of optical fiber in which an optical signal travels. The optical fiber portion may encompass all or part of the optical transmission path of an optical communication system. A pump energy unit is provided that includes at least three pump sources providing pump power at different pump wavelengths. The different pump wavelengths are spaced apart from one another by nonuniform amounts so that a prescribed Raman gain profile is generated in the optical fiber portion. An optical coupler is provided for coupling the pump power to the optical fiber portion and transmitting the optical signal therethrough.
Claims18
A Raman amplifier, comprising:
- at least a portion of optical fiber in which an optical signal travels for providing a gain medium;
- a pump energy unit that includes at least three pump sources providing pump power at different pump wavelengths, said different pump wavelengths being spaced apart from one another by nonuniform amounts so that a prescribed Raman gain profile is generated in the optical fiber portion;
- and
- an optical coupler for coupling the pump power to the optical fiber portion and transmitting the optical signal therethrough.
An optical transmission system, comprising:
- first and second transmitter/receiver terminals remotely located with respect to one another;
- an optical transmission path coupling said first terminal to said second terminal;
- a Raman amplifier providing gain to an optical signal in at least a portion of said optical transmission path, said amplifier including;
- at least a portion of optical fiber in which an optical signal travels for providing a gain medium;
- a pump energy unit that includes at least three pump sources providing pump power at different pump wavelengths, said different pump wavelengths being spaced apart from one another by nonuniform amounts so that a prescribed Raman gain profile is generated in the optical fiber portion;
- and
- an optical coupler for coupling the pump power to the optical fiber portion and transmitting the optical signal therethrough.
A method of generating a prescribed Raman gain profile in at least a portion of optical fiber, serving as a gain medium, in which an optical signal travels;
- providing pump power at least three different pump wavelengths;
- selecting said different pump wavelengths so that they are spaced apart from one another by nonuniform amounts so that Raman gain generated in the optical fiber portion has a prescribed profile;
- and
- coupling said pump power to the optical fiber portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.