Patent ID: 7400441
Filing Date: 2008-07-15
Classification: H01S,H04B,H04J

Abstract:
1. An optical amplifier comprising: a Raman amplification medium receiving wavelength-multiplexed signal light; a rare earth doped fiber located at a latter stage of said Raman amplification medium; a first pump light outputting unit for outputting pump light with a plurality of wavelengths including a wavelength which fulfills an amplification function for the wavelength-multiplexed signal light in both said Raman amplification medium and said rare earth doped fiber; a variable distribution element for distributing the pump light with the plurality of wavelengths, outputted from said first pump light outputting unit, to said Raman amplification medium and said rare earth doped fiber in a variable distribution ratio for each wavelength; and a control unit for individually controlling the distribution ratio for each wavelength in said variable distribution element and power of the pump light with the plurality of wavelengths from said first pump light outputting unit in accordance with a wavelength arrangement of each of signal lights wavelength-multiplexed into the wavelength-multiplexed signal light.