Patent ID: 6724528
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: G02B,H01S

Abstract:
A method of forming a linear polarization-maintaining optical fiber for use in an amplifier, the method comprising the steps of:providing a rare-earth-doped non-polarization-maintaining optical fiber having one or more cladding layers and having a random birefringence; providing a mandrel having a selected diameter; coiling said non-polarization-maintaining optical fiber under a selected tension around said mandrel to induce a linear birefringence greater than said random birefringence in said non-polarization-maintaining optical fiber thereby forming a polarization-maintaining optical fiber; and securing said polarization-maintaining optical fiber to said mandrel to thereby maintain said tension; wherein said mandrel diameter is chosen to avoid significant bend loss; wherein said rare-earth dopant is selected from the group consisting Nd3+, Yb3+, Pr3+, Ho3+, Er3+, Sm3+ and Tm3+; wherein said mandrel diameter is selected to be from about 0.1 cm to about 10 cm; and wherein said tension is chosen to avoid undesirable weakening of said non-polarization-maintaining fiber.