Patent ID: 6643059
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: G02B,H01S

Abstract:
An optical array amplifier comprising:a first light beam shaper; a first waveguide adapted to guide an input optical signal consisting of a plurality of wavelengths to said first beam shaper; a diffracter adapted to be illuminated by light from said first beam shaper whereby to diffract said optical signal into individual wavelengths or groups of wavelengths thereof; a second waveguide adapted to be connected to a source of optical pump energy; a second beam shaper adapted to combine optical pump energy from said second waveguide with said diffracted signal wavelengths or groups of wavelengths without said pump energy impinging on said diffracter, such that a proportion of said optical pump energy is mixed with each said wavelength or group of wavelengths, and to focus the mixed optical signals onto a third waveguide adapted to be connected to an optical amplifier utilising said pump energy to cause amplification of the individual wavelengths or groups of wavelengths mixed with the corresponding proportion of pump energy, wherein the power level of the optical pump energy is adjustable in dependence on the sensed amplitude of signals from the third waveguide.