Patent ID: 7313157
Filing Date: 2007-12-25
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: an array of four or more optical gain mediums, each optical gain medium to supply a separate optical signal containing a band of wavelengths different from the other optical gain mediums in the array to a multiplexer/demultiplexer; and a connection for an output optical fiber to route a first optical signal in an output optical path of the multiplexer/demultiplexer to a passive optical network, wherein the four or more optical gain mediums, the multiplexer/demultiplexer, and the connection are integrated into one planar lightwave circuit in an integral unit, wherein the integral unit is a single substrate where at least a portion of the four or more optical gain mediums and the multiplexer/demultiplexer forming a structure of the gain mediums and the multiplexer/demultiplexer is grown from the single substrate and the optical gain mediums each have a reflective back facet and a front facet surface that is at a non-perpendicular angle to an optical waveguide supplying an injection optical signal to that optical gain medium and the back facet is more reflective than the front facet.