Method of amplifying optical signals using doped materials with extremely broad bandwidths

• US 20040246569A1
• Filed: 07/06/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Martin M. Fejer, Michel J.F. Digonnet, Yannick G. Feillens
• Original Assignee: Martin M. Fejer, Michel J.F. Digonnet, Yannick G. Feillens
• Inventors: Digonnet, Michel J.F., Fejer, Martin M., Feillens, Yannick G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,972,896 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/341.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/06754 Fibre amplifiers H01S3/06708 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/06766 C-band amplifiers, i.e. amplification in the range of about 1530 nm to 1560 nm
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/0677 L-band amplifiers, i.e. amplification in the range of about 1560 nm to 1610 nm
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/094011 with bidirectional pumping, i.e. with injection of the pump light from both two ends of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/094096 Multi-wavelength pumping
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/1608 erbium
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/1643 YAG

Abstract

In a method of amplifying optical input signals over a wide bandwidth, the optical input signals are applied to an optical waveguide made from a rare-earth-doped amorphous material (e.g., erbium-doped yttrium aluminum oxide material). The optical input signals include optical signals having wavelengths over a range of at least 80 nanometers, and, preferably, over a range of at least 160 nanometers. Pump light is applied to the optical waveguide to cause the waveguide to provide optical gain to the optical input signals. The optical gain causes the optical signals to be amplified within the waveguide to provide amplified optical signals over the extended 80-160-nanometer range, including, in particular, optical signals having wavelengths at one end of the range and optical signals having wavelengths at a second end or the range.

Claims

1. A method for amplifying optical input signals over an extended optical bandwidth, said method comprising:

inputting the optical input signals to an optical waveguide comprising an amorphous Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ material doped with a rare earth, said optical input signals including at least a first optical signal having a first wavelength and at least a second optical signal having a second wavelength approximately 125 nanometers greater than said first wavelength; and

applying pump light to said optical waveguide to cause said waveguide to provide optical gain to said optical input signals such that at least said first optical signal and said second optical signal are amplified.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said amorphous Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ material is doped with erbium.

3. An optical amplifier which amplifies optical input signals over an extended optical bandwidth, said optical amplifier comprising:

an optical pump source which provides optical pump light; and

an optical waveguide comprising an amorphous Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ material doped with a rare earth, said optical waveguide optically coupled to receive said optical pump light from said optical pump source, said optical waveguide receiving optical input signals having a plurality of wavelengths, said optical input signals including at least a first optical signal having a first wavelength and at least a second optical signal having a second wavelength approximately 125 nanometers greater than said first wavelength, said pump light having a pump wavelength and intensity at the pump wavelength which causes said optical waveguide to provide optical gain such that at least said first optical signal and said second optical signal are amplified.

4. The optical amplifier as defined in claim 3, wherein said amorphous Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ material is doped with erbium.