Patent ID: 6606337
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
An optical pumping apparatus for providing optical pump energy to an optical gain medium that provides optical gain by stimulated Raman scattering to each of a first wavelength range and a second wavelength range, the second wavelength range having longer wavelengths than the first wavelength range and not overlapping with the first wavelength range, the apparatus comprising:a first pump unit that provides optical pump energy to the gain medium that produces signal gain in the first wavelength range; and a second pump unit that has a first pump source that provides optical pump energy to the gain medium that produces signal gain in the second wavelength range, and a second pump source that provides optical pump energy to the gain medium that produces signal gain in the first wavelength range, the second pump unit being switchable such that the apparatus may be operated with just the first pump unit activated, or with both the first and second pump units activated.