Dispersion-compensated optical fiber amplifier

A system for providing wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) optical signals via an optical fiber, comprising:

• a transmitter for transmitting an optical signal from one end of the optical fiber;
• a receiver for receiving the optical signal from the other end of the optical fiber;
• and,
• a dispersion-compensated amplifier disposed on the optical fiber between the transmitter and the receiver,
• the dispersion-compensated amplifier comprising:
• a circulator for directing the optical signal received in a forward direction and in a reverse direction;
• a first amplifier coupled to the output of the circulator for amplifying the optical signal received thereon;
• a dispersion-compensating fiber coupled to the output of the first amplifier for compensating any dispersion in the optical signal received thereon;
• a second amplifier coupled to the output of the dispersion-compensating fiber for amplifying the optical signal received thereon;
• a splitter installed at both ends of the dispersion-compensating fiber for passing the optical signal received thereon in the forward direction and the reverse direction and for forwarding a pumping light received in the forward direction without allowing the pumping light to pass through the dispersion-compensating fiber;
• and,
• a reflector for reflecting the optical signal received from the second amplifier in a reverse direction.

A dispersion-compensated optical-fiber amplifier for amplifying optical signals from a transmitting end to a receiving end, comprising:

• a circulator for directing an optical signal received in a forward direction and in a reverse direction;
• a first amplifier coupled to the output of the circulator for amplifying the optical signal received thereon;
• a dispersion-compensating fiber coupled to the output of the first amplifier for compensating any dispersion in the optical signal received thereon;
• a second amplifier coupled to the output of the dispersion-compensating fiber for amplifying the optical signal received thereon;
• a splitter installed at both ends of the dispersion-compensating fiber for passing the optical signal received thereon in the forward direction and the reverse direction and for forwarding a pumping light received in the forward direction without allowing the pumping light to pass through the dispersion-compensating fiber;
• and,
• a reflector for reflecting the optical signal received from the second amplifier in the reverse direction.