Large bandwidth optical parametric amplifier
AssigneeAlcatel
InventorsAnne Durecu, Christian Simonneau
Life of this patent
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Abstract
WDM optical signals are amplified using optical parametric amplification by applying an appropriate separation of those optical signals according to their carrier angular frequencies. These angular frequencies are within the two principal amplification bands defined by the non-linear optical medium used for optical parametric amplification. It is advantageously proposed to launch into the non-linear optical medium in one direction the optical signals of carrier frequencies within the one amplification band, and in the opposite counter-propagating direction the optical signals of carrier angular frequencies within the other amplification band. The required pump radiation is launched co-linearly with the respective optical signals to be amplified.
Claims11
A method for amplifying wavelength division multiplexed optical signals, comprising:
- transmitting the optical signals co-linearly with pump radiation;
- using an optical device comprising a non-linear optical medium to perform optical parametric amplification of the optical signals;
- launching optical signals with carrier angular frequencies within a principal amplification band into the non-linear optical medium in a first direction;
- and
- launching optical signals with carrier angular frequencies within another principal amplification band into the non-linear optical medium in a counter-propagating direction with respect to the first direction,
- wherein the two principal amplification bands are defined by the optical parametric amplification.
An optical device comprising:
- an optical circuit comprising a non-linear optical medium which amplifies optical signals with carrier angular frequencies within two principal amplification bands which are defined by optical parametric amplification of the optical signals;
- and
- wavelength-specific couplers with three ports which distribute the optical signals to different arms of the optical circuit based on the carrier angular frequency of the optical signals;
- wherein the wavelength-specific couplers are distributed within the optical circuit to launch optical signals with carrier angular frequencies within a principal amplification band into the non-linear optical medium in a first direction, and optical signals with carrier angular frequencies within another principal amplification hand into the non-linear optical medium in a counter-propagating direction with respect to the first direction, and
- the pump radiation is launched co-linearly with the optical signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.