Patent ID: 6587259
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: H01S,H04B

Abstract:
An optical amplifier operable to amplify a plurality of optical wavelength signals at least in part through Raman amplification, the amplifier comprising an amplifier stage comprising:an input operable to receive a plurality of wavelength signals; an output operable to communicate at least some of the plurality of wavelength signals; a pump assembly operable to generate one or more pump signals; and a gain medium operable to receive the plurality of wavelength signals and the one or more pump signals and to facilitate amplification of at least some of the plurality of wavelength signals; wherein the amplifier stage has associated with it a noise figure having a shape varying as a function of wavelength and wherein at least one of the one or more pump signals is operable to have its power adjusted based at least in part on a signal power of one or more of the plurality of wavelength signals at an input to the gain medium of the amplifier stage to approximately maintain an intended shape of the noise figure.