US5224116A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser amplifier
Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1992-10-09
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Granted: 1993-06-29
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Expires: 2012-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A laser amplifier having an improved pump efficiency for a given pump power comprises a pump source (46) longitudinally coupled at a plurality of coupling points (47, 48, 49) to an optical fibre (41). By thus coupling the pump power into the fibre (41), a fraction of the pump power is applied to the fibre (41) at each of the coupling points (47, 48, 49). A significant improvement in pump efficiency may be achieved in this way.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy J. Whitley
- 👤 Jonathan R. Armitage
- 👤 Colin A. Millar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/091; H01S3/094; H01S3/094003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A laser amplifier including: a single mode optical fibre; a single optical pump source for providing optical radiation at a pump wavelength; and a plurality of fibre amplifier sections each containing a lasing medium which exibits excited state absorption at the pump wavelength and pumpable by the optical pump source; the optical pump source being coupled to each of the sections so that each section is end-pumpable by a fraction of the optical pump signal whereby each fraction propagates, in use, longitudinally along the respective fibre amplifier section; each section being pumped, in use, by a fraction of the pump energy which has not passed through any other section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A laser amplifier including: a single mode optical fibre; a single optical pump source for providing optical radiation at a pump wavelength; and a plurality of fibre amplifier sections each containing a lasing medium which exibits excited state absorption at the pump wavelength and pumpable by the optical pump source; the optical pump source being coupled to each of the sections so that each section is end-pumpable by a fraction of the optical pump signal whereby each fraction propagates, in use, longitudinally along the respective fibre amplifier section; each section being pumped, in use, by a fraction of the pump energy which has not passed through any other section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A laser amplifier according to claim 1 wherein the length of each fibre section is such that the transparency point for the pump power fraction by which it is pumpable is not exceeded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A laser amplifier according to claim 1 wherein the fibre sections comprise adjacent portion of a single fibre.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
laser amplifier according to claim 1 wherein the pump source comprises a laser diode array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A laser amplifier according to claim 1 wherein the pump source is coupled to the fibre by means of one or more dichroic fibre couplers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A laser amplifier according to claim 1 wherein the fibre amplifier sections each comprise an erbium doped silica based fibre.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A laser amplifier as in claim 6 in which the pump wavelength is about 800 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A laser amplifier comprising: a plurality of series-coupled laser amplifier sections which each exhibit excited state absorption (ESA) losses at a pumped wavelength thereof so as to produce a maximum ratio of optimum amplifier gain to launched pump power at a predetermined pump power, each said amplifier section being pumped, in use, at approximately said predetermined pump power.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A laser amplifier comprising: a plurality of series-coupled laser amplifier sections which each exhibit excited state absorption (ESA) losses at a pumped wavelength thereof so as to produce a maximum ratio of optimum amplifier gain to launched pump power at a predetermined pump power, each said amplifier section being pumped, in use, at approximately said predetermined pump power.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
A laser amplifier comprising: a plurality of series-coupled laser amplifier sections which each exhibit excited state absorption (ESA) losses at a pumped wavelength thereof so as to produce a substantially diminished rate of increased gain versus increased pump power above a predetermined pump power level, each said amplifier section being pumped, in use, at a level no greater than said predetermined pump power level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
A laser amplifier comprising: a plurality of series-coupled laser amplifier sections which each exhibit excited state absorption (ESA) losses at a pumped wavelength thereof so as to produce a substantially diminished rate of increased gain versus increased pump power above a predetermined pump power level, each said amplifier section being pumped, in use, at a level no greater than said predetermined pump power level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
A laser amplifier comprising: a plurality of serially coupled, erbium doped, silica-based fibre laser amplifier sections, and means for pumping each said amplifier section at about 800 nm and at or below a pumping power level at which a further increase in pumping power causes excited state absorption (ESA) losses to substantially diminish the ratio of optimum amplifier gain to launched pump power.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
A laser amplifier comprising: a plurality of serially coupled, erbium doped, silica-based fibre laser amplifier sections, and means for pumping each said amplifier section at about 800 nm and at or below a pumping power level at which a further increase in pumping power causes excited state absorption (ESA) losses to substantially diminish the ratio of optimum amplifier gain to launched pump power.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of operating a plurality of laser amplifiers using a pump wavelength which produces increasing excited state absorption (ESA) losses at increased levels of pump power, said method comprising the steps of: arranging a plurality of said laser amplifiers optically in series; and pumping each of said plural laser amplifiers at a pump power level that does not exceed a predetermined level at which a further increase in pumping power would produce substantially increased (ESA) losses. q
Claim 16
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of operating a plurality of laser amplifiers using a pump wavelength which produces increasing excited state absorption (ESA) losses at increased levels of pump power, said method comprising the steps of: arranging a plurality of said laser amplifiers optically in series; and pumping each of said plural laser amplifiers at a pump power level that does not exceed a predetermined level at which a further increase in pumping power would produce substantially increased (ESA) losses. q
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-06-28 | 1996-12-28 | 1997-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-28 | 2000-12-28 | 2001-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-28 | 2004-12-28 | 2005-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |