Optical amplifier apparatus and method

Abstract

An optical amplifier (200) splits an optical signal into two signals (210, 212). A first amplifier section (202) receives the first signal (210). The first amplifier section (202) includes a first optical fiber (220), having a first input, for generating a first output power (230), and a first pump source (222) is coupled to the first input, for supplying a first energy amount to the first optical fiber (220). The optical amplifier (200) also includes a second amplifier section (204) to receive the second signal (212), which is arranged in parallel to, and under common control with, the first amplifier section (202). The second amplifier section (204) includes a second optical fiber (240), having a second input, for generating a second output power (250), and a second pump source (232) is coupled to the second input, for supplying a second energy amount to the second optical fiber (240). A total power (280) of the first output power (230) and the second output power (250) is at least about 600 mill Watts.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.