Patent ID: 6577438
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
An optical amplifier comprising:an optical amplification medium which has simultaneous inputs of a WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplex) signal light and a pumping light and amplifies the WDM signal light, a light source which generates the pumping light, and an amplification characteristic supervisor part which evaluates a gain tilt of amplified signal lights of different wavelengths which form the WDM signal light, wherein the amplification characteristic supervisor part is provided in advance with a record of a plurality of proper curves formed by plotting, for certain gain tilts, the relation between output light power of the optical amplification medium and pumping light power corresponding to the output light power, and selects, from among the plurality of proper curves, a proper curve A which is nearest to the relation in operation of the power of the pumping light which is incident to the optical amplification medium in operation and the resulting amplified output light power, thereby determining the gain tilt of the optical amplification medium based on the selected proper curve A.