EP0508149A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low noise high power optical fiber amplifier
Assignee: Arris Technology Inc
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Filing: 1992-03-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-03-13
Abstract
Abstract A rare earth doped optical fiber amplifier is pumped at a first wavelength selected to provide a low noise figure, and at a second wavelength selected to provide a high power efficiency. An erbium-doped fiber amplifier is illustrated, in which the first wavelength is about 980 nm and the second wavelength is about 1480 nm. The amplifier is forward pumped with the 980 nm wavelength adjacent the amplifier input to provide a low noise figure. Backward pumping at the 1480 nm wavelength is provided adjacent the amplifier output to achieve a high power efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 David R. Huber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:44
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/091; H01S3/094; H01S3/094003; H01S2303/00; H01S3/094011; H01S3/094096
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A rare earth doped optical fiber amplifier comprising: a length of rare earth doped fiber; means for inputting an optical communication signal of a first wavelength to said fiber; means coupled to said fiber for pumping said fiber at a second wavelength selected to provide a low noise figure; and means coupled to said fiber for pumping said fiber at a third wavelength selected to provide a high power efficiency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fiber is doped with a rare earth element which has a three-level laser system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 2 wherein said rare earth element is erbium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second wavelength is about 980 nm and said third wavelength is about 1480 nm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 4 wherein said first wavelength is in a range of about 1530 nm to 1570 nm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A fiber amplifier in accordance with one of claims 1 to 4 wherein: said length of fiber has an input end and an output end; said second wavelength pumping means are coupled to said fiber closer to said input end than to said output end; and said third wavelength pumping means are coupled to said fiber closer to said output end than to said input end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A fiber amplifier in accordance with claim 6 wherein said second wavelength pumping means are coupled adjacent said input end and said third wavelength pumping means are coupled adjacent said output end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A fiber amplifier in accordance with one of claims 3 or 4 wherein said inputting means input a plurality of optical communication signals to said fiber at respective wavelengths within a range of about 1530 nm to 1570 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fiber amplifier in accordance with one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said inputting means input a plurality of optical communication signals to said fiber at respective wavelengths within an operating range of said amplifier.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of improving the noise figure and power efficiency of a rare earth doped optical fiber amplifier comprising the steps of: pumping said fiber amplifier at a first wavelength selected to provide a low noise figure; and simultaneously pumping said amplifier at a second wavelength selected to provide a high power efficiency.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein: said amplifier is an erbium fiber amplifier; said first wavelength is about 980 nm; and said second wavelength is about 1480 nm.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with one of claims 10 or 11 comprising the further step of: inputting a communication signal having a wavelength within a range of about 1530 nm to 1570 nm to said amplifier.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
55 words
A method in accordance with one of claims 10 to 12 wherein: said first pump wavelength is input to said amplifier closer to an input end thereof than to an output end thereof; and said second pump wavelength is input to said amplifier closer to an output end thereof than to an input end thereof.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
41 words
A method in accordance with one of claims 10 to 13 wherein: said first pump wavelength is input to said amplifier adjacent to said input end; and said second pump wavelength is input to said amplifier adjacent to said output end.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
40 words
A method in accordance with one of claims 11 to 14 comprising the further step of: inputting a plurality of communication signals having respective wavelengths within a range of about 1530 nm to 1570 nm to said erbium fiber amplifier.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with one of claims 10 to 14 comprising the further step of: inputting a plurality of communication signals to said amplifier having respective wavelengths within an operating range of the amplifier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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