Patent ID: 6768577
Filing Date: 2004-07-27
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A tunable multimode pump source for a Raman amplifier, comprising:a laser module configured to emit light having multiple longitudinal modes; an optical fiber aligned to receive the light from the laser module; a tunable fiber grating coupled to said optical fiber and having a predetermined reflectance bandwidth with a center reflectance wavelength that is controllably tunable over a predetermined tuning range, said predetermined reflectance bandwidth being configured to reflect at least a portion of said light back to said laser module so as to stabilize a center light wavelength of the light and restrict a bandwidth of the light to the multiple longitudinal modes that fall within the predetermined reflectance bandwidth; and a tuning mechanism configured to impart a predetermined mechanical strain on said tunable fiber grating in an amount that causes said center reflectance wavelength to shift from a first wavelength within said predetermined tuning range to a second wavelength within said predetermined tuning range.