Patent ID: 6600597
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
An optical amplifier comprising:a photonic crystal gain medium having a first end and a second end, said gain medium including a core region extending between the first end and the second end for guiding light therethrough; a first filter optically coupled to the first end of the gain medium; at least one pump source optically coupled to the first filter opposite the gain medium, said pump source generating a pump beam having a first center wavelength, said first filter being transparent to the first center wavelength to allow the pump beam to enter the gain medium and propagate through the core region; a second filter optically coupled to the second end of the gain medium, said second filter reflecting the pump beam; and a signal source positioned proximate the second filter, said signal source generating a signal beam having a second center wavelength, said second filter being transparent to the second center wavelength so that the signal beam is directed into the gain medium through the second filter, and said first filter reflecting the second center wavelength, wherein the pump beam and the signal beam propagates twice through the core region and wherein the pump beam amplifies the signal beam therein.