Patent ID: 6603905
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A method of pumping an optical fiber comprising the steps of:providing a special optical fiber having a core and a first cladding layer, the fiber having a gain medium for absorbing optical pump light; defining at least one launch section of the special optical fiber followed by an absorption section thereof; forming said at least one launch section into an upwardly convex launch region where a concave side of the first cladding layer contacts a transparent low refraction index material; disposing a launch port upon said launch region; directing pump light from one or more pump sources through optics into an entry face of the launch port, the launch port substantially conducting the pump light into the first cladding of the at least one launch section in a direction approximately tangent to the center of the launch section, wherein the step of forming said at least one launch section into an upwardly convex launch region includes disposing the at least one launch section above a support block presenting a surface having an index of refraction less than 1.45 to the at least one launch section.