Patent ID: 6467969
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An article for optically amplifying optical signal light from a first waveguide and directing the amplified light into an optical output comprising:a planar waveguide optical amplifier comprising an array of waveguide strips, the waveguide amplified having an input and an output; a first optical coupler for coupling light into the optical amplifier, the first coupler comprising a plurality of optical fibers, each fiber having a core with a core index of refraction and a cladding having an index of refraction lower than the core index of refraction, the cladding of each fiber being tapered from a first substantially unclad end to a second cladded end, the plurality of fibers bundled together at the unclad ends for receiving the optical signal light and splayed apart at the cladded ends for optically coupling to the array of waveguide strips at the amplifier input; and a second optical coupler for coupling light from the optical amplifier, the second coupler comprising a plurality of optical fibers, each fiber having a core with a core index of refraction and a cladding having an index of refraction lower than the core index of refraction, the cladding of each fiber being tapered from a first substantially unclad end to a second cladded end, the plurality of fibers splayed apart at the cladded ends for optically coupling to the array of waveguide strips at the amplifier output and bundled together at the unclad ends for directing the amplified light into an optical output.