Method of amplifying optical signals using doped materials with extremely broad bandwidths
First Claim
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.
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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 Bi4Ge3O12 material). The optical input signals include optical signals having wavelengths over a range of approximately 125. 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 approximately 125-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.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A method for amplifying optical input signals over an extended optical bandwidth, said method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An optical amplifier which amplifies optical input signals over an extended optical bandwidth, said optical amplifier comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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Specification