Patent ID: 6480325
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: G02F,H01S

Abstract:
An apparatus for generating three or more optical signals, wherein each signal has a different free-space wavelength, comprising:a) a coherent light source for generating a first optical signal characterized by a first free-space wavelength; b) an optical parametric generation device (OPG) optically coupled to the coherent light source and configured to interact with a first portion of the first optical signal to produce a second optical signal characterized by a second free-space wavelength and an idler signal while transmitting a second portion of the first optical signal; and c) a sum frequency generation device (SFG) optically coupled to the OPG, the SFG being configured to non-linearly combine part of the second portion of the first optical signal with the idler signal to produce a third optical signal characterized by a third free-space wavelength, wherein the SFG transmits the second optical signal, the third optical signal and a remainder of the first optical signal.