Patent ID: 6330104
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
An optical wavelength converter apparatus comprisinga first input optical wavelength signal coupled to a first end of an optical fiber;a second input optical wavelength signal coupled to the first end of the optical fiber;the optical fiber having a length suitable to provide substantial Raman gain to optical wavelength signals produced by four wave mixing of the first input optical wavelength signal and the second input optical wavelength signal in the optical fiber, the Raman gain using a third input signal as a pump signal, the third input optical wavelength signal having a wavelength substantially below the four wave mixing optical wavelength signals produced in the optical fiber;wherein the power levels of the first and second optical wavelength signals are selected to produce a predetermined power density in the optical fiber; andan optical filter connected to a second end of the optical fiber for filtering all optical wavelengths except for the lower wavelength of the four wave mixing optical wavelength signals which is outputted from the filter.