Patent ID: 6618194
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A bidirectionally pumped optical amplifier (200) comprising:an active fibre (201) having two ends, a first WDM coupler (204) and a second WDM coupler (205) coupled to said ends, a first pump branch (220) coupled to said first WDM coupler (204) comprising a first laser (202) and a first selective reflector (210), for introducing pump radiation into said active fibre (201) in a first direction, a second pump branch (230) coupled to said second WDM coupler (205) comprising a second laser (203) and a second selective reflector (212), for introducing pump radiation into said active fibre (201) in a second direction, opposite to said first direction, said second laser being adapted for emitting an output power PF, the amplifier being adapted for coupling a pump residual, having a power Pinj, from said active fibre (201) into said second laser (203), characterized in that PF/Pinj>2, and said first pump branch (220) further comprises an optical isolator (211) for the pump radiation.