Patent ID: 7876496

Claim:
An integrated optical-amplification module, comprising: a first optical prism comprising: a first surface; and a second surface, wherein the first surface is configured to receive the optical signal, wherein the first optical prism is configured to allow the optical signal to enter the bulk of the first optical prism and to exit at the second surface, wherein the second surface is configured to receive the pump light in free space and reflect at least a portion of the pump light in free space, wherein the first optical prism and the direction of the pump light are so configured that the optical signal exiting the first optical prism merges with the pump light reflected by the second surface to form a combined optical signal in free space; an optical isolator configured to substantially uni-directionally pass the optical signal and send the optical signal across a free space to the first optical prism; and an amplifier configured to receive the combined optical signal in free space and amplify the combined optical signal.