Appeal 2007-0490
Application 10/095,716
1 INVENTION
2
3 The invention is directed to a design for an optical amplifier. The
4 amplifier of the present invention utilizes Raman and Erbium amplification
5 in a single module using a common optical pumping device. See pages 1
6 and 2 of Appellants’ Specification. Claims 1 and 5 are representative of the
7 invention and reproduced below:
8 1. An optical amplifier arranged to amplify an optical signal,
9 comprising
10 a first optical fiber segment arranged to provide Raman
11 amplification having a first gain slope,
12 a second optical fiber segment connected to said first segment
13 and arranged to provide erbium amplification having a second gain
14 slope, said second gain slope being substantially opposite of said first
15 gain slope,
16 means for applying said optical signal to said first and second
17 segments, and
18 a single pump means arranged to supplying optical pump
19 energy to both of said segments, such that said first gain slope and
20 said second gain slope combine to produce a desired gain profile for
21 said optical amplifier.
22
23 5. An optical amplifier, comprising
24 an optical fiber that supports Raman amplification, and
25 a pump laser for supplying pump energy to said optical fiber,
26 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said optical fiber is doped with
27 erbium such that erbium amplification is provided in response to said
28 pump laser, and such that a gain slope of said Raman amplification
29 and a gain slope of said erbium amplification combine to produce a
30 desired gain profile for said optical amplifier.
31
32
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Last modified: September 9, 2013