Multi-stage optical amplifier and broadband communication system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A multi-stage optical amplifier, comprising:
- an optical fiber including at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal source that produces at least a signal wavelength λ
s and at least two pump sources that collectively produce a pump beam of wavelength λ
p, wherein pump wavelength λ
p is less than signal wavelength λ
s, the first Raman amplifier fiber having an optical noise figure of less than 8 dB and lower noise than the second Raman fiber amplifier, and the second Raman fiber amplifier having a gain level of at least 5 dB;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber;
a first pump input port, the first Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the first pump input port and the second Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the first pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port; and
a first lossy member positioned between the first pump input port and the signal output port, the lossy member being lossy in at least one direction and passage of the pump radiation of wavelength λ
p from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked; and
wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction.
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Abstract
A multi-stage optical amplifier includes an optical fiber with at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber. The optical fiber is configured to be coupled to at least one signal source that produces at least a signal wavelength λs and at least two pump sources that collectively produce a pump beam of wavelength λp. Pump wavelength λp is less than signal wavelength λs. Signal input, signal output and a first pump input port are each coupled to the optical fiber. The first Raman amplifier fiber is positioned between the signal input port and the pump input port. The second Raman amplifier fiber is positioned between the pump input port and signal output port. A second pump input port is coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port. A first lossy member is positioned between the pump input port and the signal output port. The lossy member is lossy in at least one direction so that passage of the pump radiation of wavelength λp from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked. The signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction.
206 Citations
68 Claims
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1. A multi-stage optical amplifier, comprising:
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an optical fiber including at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal source that produces at least a signal wavelength λ
s and at least two pump sources that collectively produce a pump beam of wavelength λ
p, wherein pump wavelength λ
p is less than signal wavelength λ
s, the first Raman amplifier fiber having an optical noise figure of less than 8 dB and lower noise than the second Raman fiber amplifier, and the second Raman fiber amplifier having a gain level of at least 5 dB;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber;
a first pump input port, the first Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the first pump input port and the second Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the first pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port; and
a first lossy member positioned between the first pump input port and the signal output port, the lossy member being lossy in at least one direction and passage of the pump radiation of wavelength λ
p from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked; and
wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
at least one WDM coupler to couple a pump path from the signal input port to the signal output port.
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14. The multi-stage optical amplifier of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second Raman amplifier fibers is a dispersion compensating fiber.
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15. The multi-stage optical amplifier of claim 1, wherein the first and second Raman amplifier fibers are each dispersion compensating fibers.
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16. The multi-stage optical amplifier of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber includes a third Raman amplifier fiber.
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17. The multi-stage optical amplifier of claim 16, further comprising:
- a third pump source coupled to the third Raman amplifier fiber.
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18. The multi-stage optical amplifier of claim 17, wherein the optical fiber includes a third Raman amplifier fiber.
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19. The multi-stage optical amplifier of claim 18, further comprising:
a fourth pump source coupled to the fourth Raman amplifier fiber.
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20. The multi-stage optical amplifier of claim 17, wherein each of the first, second and third pump sources is a laser diode pump source.
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21. The multi-stage optical amplifier of claim 19, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth pump sources is a laser diode pump source.
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22. A broadband booster amplifier, comprising:
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a plurality of transmitters transmitting a plurality of wavelengths;
a combiner coupled to the plurality of transmitters;
an optical fiber coupled to the combiner, the optical fiber including at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal source and at least two pump sources, the first Raman fiber amplifier having an optical noise figure of less than 8 dB and lower noise than the second Raman fiber amplifier, and the second Raman fiber amplifier having a gain level of at least 5 dB;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber, wherein a signal introduced through the signal input port propagates from the first stage amplifier to the second stage amplifier;
a first pump input port, the first Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the first pump input port and the second Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the first pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port;
a first lossy member positioned between the first pump input port and the signal output port, wherein the lossy member is lossy in at least one direction and passage of the pump radiation from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked; and
wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction.
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23. A broadband pre-amplifier, comprising:
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an optical fiber including at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal source and at least two pump sources, the first Raman fiber amplifier having an optical noise figure of less than 8 dB and lower noise than the second Raman fiber amplifier, and the second Raman fiber amplifier having a gain level of at least 5 dB;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber;
a first pump input port, the first Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the first pump input port and the second Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the first pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port;
a first lossy member positioned between the first pump input port and the signal output port, wherein the lossy member is lossy in at least one direction and passage of pump radiation from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked;
a splitter coupled to the signal output port;
a plurality of receivers coupled to the splitter; and
wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction.
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24. A broadband communication system, comprising:
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a transmitter;
an optical fiber coupled to the transmitter, the optical fiber including at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal and at least two pump sources, the first Raman fiber amplifier having an optical noise figure of less than 8 dB and lower noise than the second Raman fiber amplifier, and the second Raman fiber amplifier having a gain level of at least 5 dB;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber;
a first pump input port, the first Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the first pump input port and the second Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the first pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port; and
a first lossy member positioned between the first pump input port and the signal output port, wherein the lossy member is lossy in at least one direction and passage of pump radiation of from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked;
a receiver coupled to the optical fiber; and
wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
at least one WDM coupler to couple a pump path from the signal input port to the signal output port.
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37. The system of claim 24, wherein at least one of the first and second Raman amplifier fibers is a dispersion compensating fiber.
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38. The system of claim 24, wherein the first and Raman amplifier fibers are each dispersion compensating fibers.
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39. The system of claim 24, wherein the optical fiber includes a third Raman amplifier fiber.
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40. The system of claim 39, further comprising:
a third pump source coupled to the third Raman amplifier fiber.
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41. The system of claim 40, wherein the optical fiber includes a fourth Raman amplifier fiber.
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42. The system of claim 41, further comprising:
a fourth pump source coupled to the fourth Raman amplifier fiber.
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43. The system of claim 40, wherein each of the first, second and third pump sources is a laser diode pump source.
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44. The system of claim 42, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth pump sources is a laser diode pump source.
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45. A broadband communication system, comprising:
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a transmitter;
an optical fiber coupled to the transmitter, the optical fiber including at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal source and at least two pump sources, the first Raman fiber amplifier having an optical noise figure of less than 8 dB and lower noise than the second Raman fiber amplifier, and the second Raman fiber amplifier having a gain level of at least 5 dB;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber;
a first pump input port, the first Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the first pump input port and the second Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the first pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port; and
a first lossy member positioned between the first pump input port and the signal output port, wherein the lossy member is lossy in at least one direction and passage of pump radiation from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked;
at least one in-line broadband amplifier coupled to the optical fiber;
a receiver coupled to the in-line broadband amplifier; and
wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (46)
an optical fiber including at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal source and at least two pump sources;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber;
a first pump input port, the first Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the pump input port and the second Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port; and
a first lossy member positioned between the pump input port and the signal output port, wherein the lossy member is lossy in at least one direction and passage of pump radiation from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked and wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction.
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47. A broadband communication system, comprising:
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a transmitter;
a broadband booster amplifier;
an optical fiber coupled to the broadband booster amplifier, the optical fiber including at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal and at least two pump sources, the first Raman fiber amplifier having an optical noise figure of less than 8 dB and lower noise than the second Raman fiber amplifier, and the second Raman fiber amplifier having a gain level of at least 5 dB;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber;
a first pump input port, the first Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the first pump input port and the second Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the first pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port; and
a first lossy member positioned between the first pump input port and the signal output port, wherein the lossy member is lossy in at least one direction and passage of pump radiation of from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked;
a receiver coupled to the optical fiber; and
wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (48)
a plurality of transmitters transmitting a plurality of wavelengths;
a combiner coupled to the plurality of transmitters;
an optical fiber coupled to the combiner, the optical fiber including at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal source and at least two pump sources;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber, wherein a signal introduced through the signal input port propagates from the first stage amplifier to the second stage amplifier;
a first pump input port, the first Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the pump input port and the second Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port;
a first lossy member positioned between the pump input port and the signal output port, wherein the lossy member is lossy in at least one direction and passage of the pump radiation from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked; and
wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction.
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49. A broadband communication system, comprising:
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a transmitter;
an optical fiber coupled to the transmitter, the optical fiber including at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal source and at least two pump sources, the first Raman fiber amplifier having an optical noise figure of less than 8 dB and lower noise than the second Raman fiber amplifier, and the second Raman fiber amplifier having a gain level of at least 5 dB;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber;
a first pump input port, the first Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the first pump input port and the second Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the first pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port;
a first lossy member positioned between the first pump input port and the signal output port, wherein the lossy member is lossy in at least one direction and passage of pump radiation from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked;
a broadband pre-amplifier coupled to the optical fiber;
a receiver coupled to the broadband pre-amplifier; and
wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (50)
an optical fiber including at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal source and at least two pump sources;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber;
a first pump input port, the first Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the pump input port and the second Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port;
a first lossy member positioned between the pump input port and the signal output port, wherein the lossy member is lossy in at least one direction and passage of pump radiation from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked;
a splitter coupled to the signal output port;
a plurality of receivers coupled to the splitter; and
wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction.
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51. A broadband communication system, comprising:
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a transmitter;
a booster broadband amplifier coupled to the transmitter;
an optical fiber coupled to the broadband booster amplifier, the optical fiber including at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal source and at least two pump sources, the first Raman fiber amplifier having an optical noise figure of less than 8 dB and lower noise than the second Raman fiber amplifier, and the second Raman fiber amplifier having a gain level of at least 5 dB;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber;
a first pump input port, the first Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the first pump input port and the second Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the first pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port;
a first lossy member positioned between the first pump input port and the signal output port, wherein the lossy member is lossy in at least one direction and passage of pump radiation from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked;
a broadband pre-amplifier coupled to the optical fiber;
a receiver coupled to the broadband pre-amplifier; and
wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53)
a plurality of transmitters transmitting a plurality of wavelengths;
a combiner coupled to the plurality of transmitters;
an optical fiber coupled to the combiner, the optical fiber including at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal source and at least two pump sources;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber, wherein a signal introduced through the signal input port propagates from the first stage amplifier to the second stage amplifier;
a first pump input port, the first Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the pump input port and the second Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port;
a first lossy member positioned between the pump input port and the signal output port, wherein the lossy member is lossy in at least one direction and passage of the pump radiation from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked; and
wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction.
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53. The system of claim 52, wherein the broadband pre-amplifier comprises:
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an optical fiber including at least a first Raman amplifier fiber and a second Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal source and at least two pump sources;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber;
a first pump input port, the first Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the pump input port and the second Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the second Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port;
a first lossy member positioned between the pump input port and the signal output port, wherein the lossy member is lossy in at least one direction and passage of pump radiation from the second to the first length of amplifier fiber is substantially blocked;
a splitter coupled to the signal output port;
a plurality of receivers coupled to the splitter; and
wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction.
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54. A multi-stage optical amplifier, comprising:
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an optical fiber including at least a distributed Raman amplifier fiber and a discrete Raman amplifier fiber, the optical fiber configured to be coupled to at least one signal source that produces at least a signal wavelength λ
s and at least two pump sources that collectively produce a pump beam of wavelength λ
p, wherein pump wavelength λ
p is less than signal wavelength λ
s, the first Raman fiber amplifier having an optical noise figure of less than 8 dB and lower noise than the second Raman fiber amplifier, and the second Raman fiber amplifier having a gain level of at least 5 dB;
a signal input port coupled to the optical fiber;
a signal output port coupled to the optical fiber;
a first pump input port, the distributed Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the signal input port and the first pump input port and the discrete Raman amplifier fiber being positioned between the first pump input port and signal output port;
a second pump input port coupled to the optical fiber and positioned between the discrete Raman amplifier fiber and the signal output port; and
wherein the signal flows in a first direction and the pump beam flows in a reverse direction relative to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
at least one WDM coupler to couple a pump path from the signal input port to the signal output port.
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63. The multi-stage optical amplifier of claim 54, wherein at least one of the distributed and discrete Raman amplifier fibers is a dispersion compensating fiber.
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64. The multi-stage optical amplifier of claim 54, wherein the distributed and discrete Raman amplifier fibers are each dispersion compensating fibers.
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65. The multistage optical amplifier of claim 54, wherein the optical fiber includes a third Raman amplifier fiber.
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66. The multi-stage optical amplifier of claim 65, further comprising:
a third pump source coupled to the third Raman amplifier fiber.
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67. The multi-stage optical amplifier of claim 66, wherein the optical fiber includes a fourth Raman amplifier fiber.
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68. The multi-stage optical amplifier of claim 55, wherein each of the first and second pump sources is a laser diode pump source.
Specification
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Current AssigneeXtera Communications Incorporated (Xtera Topco Ltd.)
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Original AssigneeXtera Communications Incorporated (Xtera Topco Ltd.)
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InventorsIslam, Mohammed
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Primary Examiner(s)Tarcza, Thomas H.
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Assistant Examiner(s)HUGHES, DEANDRA M
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Application NumberUS09/471,753Time in Patent Office817 DaysField of Search372/3, 372/6, 372/94, 359/334, 359/337.1, 359/337.11, 359/337.12, 359/337.13, 359/337.2, 359/337.21, 359/337.22, 359/337.3, 359/337.4, 359/337.5, 359/341.1, 359/341.2, 359/341.3, 359/341.31, 359/341.32, 359/341.33, 359/341.4, 359/341.41, 359/341.42, 359/341.43, 359/341.44, 359/341.45, 359/346US Class Current359/334CPC Class CodesH01S 3/06758 Tandem amplifiersH01S 3/094015 with pump light recycling, ...H01S 3/302 in an optical fibreH04B 10/25253 with dispersion management,...H04B 10/2916 using Raman or Brillouin am...H04B 2210/003 Devices including multiple ...
