Patent ID: 6900885
Filing Date: 2005-05-31
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. A white light source comprising a first amplified spontaneous emission light generating section comprising at least an active fiber and a pump light source, and a second amplified spontaneous emission light generating section comprising at least an active fiber and a pump light source, wherein said first and second amplified spontaneous emission light generating sections each have a first end and a second end, and the second end of said first amplified spontaneous emission light generating section is connected in series with the first end of said second amplified spontaneous emission light generating section, wherein at least one of said active fiber in said first amplified spontaneous emission light generating section and said active fiber in said second amplified spontaneous emission light generating section is a Raman fiber, which generates amplified spontaneous scattering light, wherein the wavelength ranges of a first amplified spontaneous emission light and a second amplified spontaneous emission light generated by said first and second amplified spontaneous emission light generating sections, respectively, at least partially overlap each other, wherein the first amplified spontaneous emission light generated by said first amplified spontaneous emission light generating section is input to said second amplified spontaneous emission light generating section, and the input emission light is then combined with the second amplified spontaneous emission light generated by said second amplified spontaneous emission light generating section, while being amplified by a second active fiber in said second amplified spontaneous emission light generating section, thereby allowing an amplified output light to be output from said second amplified spontaneous emission light generating section, the amplified output light having both wavelength ranges of said first and second amplified spontaneous emission lights.