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US 6,943,939 B1Granted
Optical amplifier with damped relaxation oscillation
AssigneeFinisar Corporation
InventorsSol P. DiJaili, Peter W. Evans
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical amplifier with damped relaxation oscillation. A large distance between mirrors in a VLSOA increases damping for the relaxation oscillation. Alternatively, a feedback loop damps out relaxation oscillations.
Claims22
An optical amplifier, comprising:
- an input for inputting an optical signal that is to be amplified;
- a gain medium having an amplifying path traversing the gain medium and coupled to the input for amplifying the optical signal to create an amplified optical signal;
- an output coupled to the gain medium for outputting the amplified optical signal;
- a laser cavity, oriented vertically with respect to the amplifying path;
- a pump input coupled to the gain medium for receiving a pump to pump the gain medium to a predetermined lasing threshold;
- and
- wherein the optical amplifier has a ratio of a relaxation oscillation frequency squared to damping coefficient of less than 1×1010 rad/sec.
4 more elements
A system for providing optical amplification with damped relaxation oscillation, comprising.
- a system input;
- an optical coupler having a first input connected to the optical coupler output, a signal output, and a laser output;
- a feedback loop having an input connected to the optical amplifier laser output and an output connected to the second input of the optical coupler, the feedback loop including:
- a detector connected to the optical amplifier laser output for detecting the laser output and, in response, generating a signal representing the laser output;
- a time delay connected to the detector for delaying the signal representing the laser output;
- and
- an optical signal generator connected to the adjustable time delay for generating an optical signal;
- and
- wherein the feedback loop provides a feedback signal for damping a relaxation oscillation of the optical amplifier.
6 more elements
An optical amplifier with a damped relaxation oscillation, comprising:
- a signal input for receiving a signal;
- a gain medium connected to the signal input;
- an amplifying path traversing the gain medium;
- a first reflector and a second reflector defining a laser cavity including the gain medium, the laser cavity oriented vertically with respect to the amplifying path;
- a pump input connected to the gain medium to pump the gain medium above a lasing threshold for the laser cavity and generate a laser;
- a laser output connected to the laser cavity for outputting the laser;
- a signal output connected to the amplifying path for outputting an amplified signal;
- wherein the distance between the first reflector and the second reflector is greater than the wavelength of the laser within the laser cavity;
- and
- wherein the optical amplifier has a ratio of a relaxation oscillation frequency squared to damping coefficient of less than 1×1010 rad/sec.
7 more elements
An optical amplifier with a damped relaxation oscillation, comprising:
- a signal input for receiving a signal;
- a gain medium connected to the signal input;
- an amplifying path traversing the gain medium;
- a first reflector and a second reflector defining a laser cavity including the gain medium, the laser cavity oriented vertically with respect to the amplifying path;
- a pump input connected to the gain medium to pump the gain medium above a lasing threshold for the laser cavity and generate a laser;
- a laser output connected to the laser cavity for outputting the laser;
- a signal output connected to the amplifying path for outputting an amplified signal;
- wherein the distance between the first reflector and the second reflector is greater than 500 nanometers;
- and
- wherein the optical amplifier has a ratio of a relaxation oscillation frequency squared to damping coefficient of less than 1×1010 rad/sec.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.