Patent ID: 6307668
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A wide band optical amplifier assembly comprising:a first amplifier block;a second amplifier block;a demultiplexing device for splitting a wavelength band into first and second bandwidths, said first and second bandwidths being respectively output to said first and second amplifier blocks; anda multiplexing device connected to said first and second amplifier blocks for recombining said first and second bandwidths,said first amplifier block having an optical transmission path length measured between said demultiplexer and said multiplexer, said first amplifier block including an optical amplifier assembly constructed and arranged for amplifying the first bandwidth, said first optical amplifier assembly including a rare earth doped fiber having a predetermined length,said second amplifier block having a second optical transmission path length measured between said demultiplexer and said multiplexer, said second amplifier block including an optical amplifier assembly constructed and arranged for amplifying the second bandwidth, said optical amplifier assembly of said second amplifier block including a rare earth doped fiber having a length which is less than the length of said rare earth doped fiber of said optical amplifier assembly of said first amplifier block, said second amplifier block further including a single mode fiber coupled to said rare earth doped fiber, said single mode fiber having a predetermined length such that the optical transmission path lengths of said first and second amplifier blocks are substantially equal to thereby reduce multipath interference when recombining said first and second bandwidths.