Patent ID: 7761009

Claim:
A method for use in a free space optical communication system comprising: performing a combination amplification of an optical signal, wherein said combination amplification comprises: amplifying said signal via a first amplifier having a maximum gain at a first wavelength; and amplifying said signal via a second amplifier having a maximum gain at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, wherein one or more wavelengths of said signal that are amplified by said first amplifier are also amplified by said second amplifier; controlling a magnitude of optical gain by the combination optical amplifier, wherein for a given wavelength within said signal, the magnitude of optical gain provided by the combination amplifier is greater than the magnitude of optical gain provided by either the first amplifier or the second amplifier alone; modifying a phase of said signal after said signal has been amplified by both the first amplifier and the second amplifier using a free space adaptive optics system; and transmitting said signal as modified across a free space medium, wherein said signal is attenuated as it travels across said free space medium; receiving said signal as attenuated; amplifying said signal as attenuated; and reducing a diameter of said signal as attenuated using an adiabatic taper apparatus.