Patent ID: 6172802
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: G02B,H01S

Abstract:
A bidirectional optical amplification system comprising:an optical amplifier having an input and an output and configured to amplify wavelengths lying within a range of wavelengths; andan optical coupling device including:a first port configured to receive a first optical wave in a first subrange of wavelengths lying within the range of wavelengths;a second port configured to receive a second optical wave in a second subrange of wavelengths lying within the range of wavelengths;an optical coupling output coupled to the input of the optical amplifier;an optical coupling input coupled to the output of the optical amplifier;wherein said optical coupling device is configuredto direct the first optical wave from the first port to the optical coupling output;to direct an amplified optical wave, resulting from amplification of the first optical wave, from the optical coupling input to the second port;to direct the second optical wave from the second port to the optical coupling output; andto direct an amplified optical wave, resulting from amplification of the second optical wave, from the optical coupling input to the first port; andwherein the optical coupling device further comprises four right-angled trihedral prisms joined together via their faces which form a right-angled dihedral angle, and interfaces between the faces reflect waves of the second subrange of wavelengths;wherein light emitted by the first port in the optical coupling device passes through two interfaces directed along a first path towards the optical coupling output coupled to the input of the optical amplifier;wherein light emitted by the second port in the optical coupling device is directed along a second path parallel to the first path and is reflected by a first interface and then a second interface so as to be directed along the first path towards the optical coupling output;wherein the optical coupling output is coupled to the input of the optical amplifier; andwherein the light of the first subrange of wavelengths is transmitted toward the second port, and the light of the second subrange of wavelengths is reflected toward the first port.