Patent ID: 6038062
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: H01S,H04B,H04J

Abstract:
An optical amplifier which amplifies a probe light and multiplexed signal light, both the probe light and the multiplexed signal light being transmitted from a transmitting path, comprising:an optical amplifying medium to which the probe light and the multiplexed signal light are guided, said optical amplifying medium being a rare earth added optical fiber;an exciting source which excites said optical amplifying medium;light branching means which branches part of the the probe light and the multiplexed signal light amplified by said optical amplifying medium;light separating means which separates the probe light from the branched light by said light branching means;light receiving means which detects an output of the probe light separated by said light separating means and which converts the detected output into an electric signal; andcontrol means which controls an amount of operation of said exciting source on said optical medium such that an output of said light receiving means becomes constant and which controls a gain of the multiplexed signal light.