Patent ID: 6317537
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: G02B,H01S

Abstract:
A method of pumping an optical fiber comprising the steps of:providing a special optical fiber having a core and having a first cladding layer of a material with a first cladding index of refraction, the fiber having a gain medium for absorbing optical pump light;defining at least one launch section of the special optical fiber followed lengthwise by an absorption section thereof;forming said at least one launch section into a launch region having a convex side and a concave side, the concave side of said at least one launch section contacting a substrate material having a substrate index of refraction less than the first cladding index of refraction;shaping a launch port to match the convex side of said at least one launch section of the launch region;mating the launch port with the at least one launch section of the launch region over a mating surface; anddirecting pump light from a pump light source through optics into an entry face of the launch port, the launch port substantially conducting the pump light into the first cladding of the at least one launch section.