Patent ID: 6259556
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: H01S,H04B,H04J

Abstract:
An optical fiber amplifier for amplifying light signals within a wavelength band, the optical fiber amplifier comprising:an active optical fiber having an input end adapted to receive light signals to be amplified having wavelengths in a wavelength region included in the wavelength band and an output end adapted to forward the light signals amplified during the propagation thereof in the active optical fiber by gain factors specific to the wavelengths of the light signals;a pump source connected to inject pumping light into the active optical fiber;an output power measurement device connected to the output end of the active optical fiber for measuring the power of light having wavelengths within the wavelength region at the output end;a light source for injecting light into the active optical fiber, the injected light having a wavelength outside the wavelength region but within the wavelength band and selected not to be capable of causing an amplifying or pumping effect in the active optical fiber and selected to be capable of being amplified by the optical fiber amplifier; andwherein the light source is connected to the output power measurement device in order to control the intensity of the injected light injected by the light source in accordance with the measured power of light conducted by said output power measurement device to maintain the gain factors constant.