US5416865A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical waveguide gain-shaped amplifier including wavelength multiplexing coupler
Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC
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Filing: 1994-07-15
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Granted: 1995-05-16
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Expires: 2014-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A wavelength multiplexing tapered fused fibre coupler is used to splice a second length of optical amplifier fibre between first and third lengths in such a way that pump power bypasses it. The second length is therefore unpumped and acts as a notch filter smoothing out the spectral gain characteristic of the first and third lengths.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan Fielding
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:05
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/063; H01S3/067; H01S3/06754; H01S3/06758; H01S2301/00; H01S2301/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A gain-shaped optical waveguide amplifier which employs optical power at a pump wavelength to amplify an optical signal at a signal wavelength, which amplifier includes a 4-port 2×2 coupler which is wavelength multiplexing at the pump and signal wavelengths of the amplifier, and to whose four ports are connected first, second and third lengths of optical amplifier waveguide in a configuration such that pump power is directed by the coupler directly between the first and the third length while signal power is directed from the first to the third via the second length of amplifier waveguide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A gain-shaped optical waveguide amplifier which employs optical power at a pump wavelength to amplify an optical signal at a signal wavelength, which amplifier includes a 4-port 2×2 coupler which is wavelength multiplexing at the pump and signal wavelengths of the amplifier, and to whose four ports are connected first, second and third lengths of optical amplifier waveguide in a configuration such that pump power is directed by the coupler directly between the first and the third length while signal power is directed from the first to the third via the second length of amplifier waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A gain-shaped optical waveguide amplifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lengths of amplifier waveguide are erbium-doped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gain-shaped optical waveguide amplifier as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first second and third lengths of amplifier waveguide are constructed in optical fibre format.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A gain-shaped optical waveguide amplifier as claimed in claim 3 wherein the 4-port 2×2 coupler is constructed in optical fibre format.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gain-shaped optical waveguide amplifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first second and third lengths of amplifier waveguide are constructed in optical fibre format.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A gain-shaped optical waveguide amplifier as claimed in claim 5 wherein the 4-port 2×2 coupler is constructed in optical fibre format.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-05-15 | 1998-11-14 | 1999-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-15 | 2002-11-14 | 2003-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-15 | 2006-11-14 | 2007-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |