Patent ID: 7437041
Filing Date: 2008-10-14
Classification: G02B,H01S

Abstract:
1. A method of producing higher power optical energy using an optical fiber by reducing non-linear effects, comprising: propagating with the core of a first optical fiber optical energy having a selected wavelength, the core being single mode at the selected wavelength; communicating the optical energy having the selected wavelength from the core of the first length of optical fiber to a second length of optical fiber that comprises an active material for providing gain at the selected wavelength and that can support multiple modes at the selected wavelength, the optical energy so communicated propagating in the second length of fiber in at least one higher order mode and at the selected wavelength; optically pumping the active material of the second length of optical fiber such that the optical energy experiences gain while propagating in the at least one higher order mode; communicating the optical energy that has experienced gain from the second length of optical fiber to a core of a third length of optical fiber for propagation thereby, the core being single mode at the selected wavelength; and wherein communicating the optical energy having the selected wavelength from the first length of optical fiber to the second length of optical fiber or communicating the optical energy that has experienced gain from the second length of optical fiber to the third length of optical fiber comprises providing an optical fiber grating.