L-band amplification with detuned 980nm pump
First Claim
1. A method of operating an L-Band optical amplifier for improved gain and pump-to-signal conversion efficiency in a long wavelength spectral region of the emission spectrum of a rare earth doped gain medium having a known pump absorption band, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing an optical signal to the L-Band amplifier having a large-signal input power; and
b) providing pumping light to the L-Band amplifier having a wavelength that is different from a center wavelength of the pump absorption band for amplifying the optical signal, such that the L-Band amplifier'"'"'s gain is greater than gain at the center wavelength.
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Abstract
A method of operating an optical amplifier for improved gain and pump-to-signal conversion efficiency in a long wavelength spectral region (L-band) of the emission spectrum of a rare earth doped gain medium having a known pump absorption band involves the steps of providing an optical signal to the amplifier having a large-signal input power; and providing pumping light to the amplifier having a wavelength that is different from a center wavelength of the known pump absorption band for amplifying the optical signal. Signal gain and improved pump-to-signal conversion efficiency was demonstrated for an erbium L-band signal by detuning the pump between about ±0-30 nm on either side of the pump band center wavelength of 979-980 nm. An optical amplifier employing the described method is also disclosed.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of operating an L-Band optical amplifier for improved gain and pump-to-signal conversion efficiency in a long wavelength spectral region of the emission spectrum of a rare earth doped gain medium having a known pump absorption band, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an optical signal to the L-Band amplifier having a large-signal input power; and
b) providing pumping light to the L-Band amplifier having a wavelength that is different from a center wavelength of the pump absorption band for amplifying the optical signal, such that the L-Band amplifier'"'"'s gain is greater than gain at the center wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating an optical amplifier for improved gain and pump-to-signal conversion efficiency in a long wavelength spectral region (L-band) of the emission spectrum of a rare earth doped gain medium having a known pump absorption band, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an optical signal to the amplifier having a large-signal input power; and
b) providing pumping light to the amplifier having a wavelength that is detuned from a center wavelength of the known pump absorption band for amplifying the optical signal such that a value of the amplified signal power at any detuned pump wavelength is greater than the amplified signal power at the pump band center wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of operating an optical amplifier for improved gain and pump-to-signal conversion efficiency in a long wavelength spectral region (L-band) of the emission spectrum of a rare earth doped gain medium having a known pump absorption band, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an optical signal to the amplifier having a large-signal input power; and
b) providing pumping light to the amplifier having a wavelength that is detuined from a center wavelength of the known pump absorption band for amplifying the optical signal such that a measured value of ASE traveling counterdirectionally to the pump light is less at any detuned pump wavelength than the measured ASE at the pump band center wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. An optical amplifier, comprising:
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a rare earth doped gain stage having an emission spectrum and a known pump wavelength absorption band for amplifying an input signal having a wavelength in a long wavelength region of the emission spectrumn and a large input signal power;
a pump light source emitting an operating wavelength at a value different from a center wavelength of the pump absorption band, coupled to the gain stage;
wherein an amplified output signal has a signal power at said operating wavelength greater than an output signal when the operating wavelength is substantially the same as the center wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification