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Title: Cross-talk free, low-noise optical amplifier

Abstract

A low-noise optical amplifier solves crosstalk problems in optical amplifiers by using an optical cavity oriented off-axis (e.g. perpendicular) to the direction of a signal amplified by the gain medium of the optical amplifier. Several devices are used to suppress parasitic lasing of these types of structures. The parasitic lasing causes the gain of these structures to be practically unusable. The lasing cavity is operated above threshold and the gain of the laser is clamped to overcome the losses of the cavity. Any increase in pumping causes the lasing power to increase. The clamping action of the gain greatly reduces crosstalk due to gain saturation for the amplified signal beam. It also reduces other nonlinearities associated with the gain medium such as four-wave mixing induced crosstalk. This clamping action can occur for a bandwidth defined by the speed of the laser cavity. The lasing field also reduces the response time of the gain medium. By having the lasing field off-axis, no special coatings are needed. Other advantages are that the lasing field is easily separated from the amplified signal and the carrier grating fluctuations induced by four-wave mixing are decreased. Two related methods reduce the amplified spontaneous emission power withoutmore » sacrificing the gain of the optical amplifier. 11 figs.

Inventors:
; ;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Univ. of California (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
87759
Patent Number(s):
5436759
Application Number:
PAN: 8-260,275
Assignee:
Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-48
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 25 Jul 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER CATEGORIES; LASERS; AMPLIFICATION; DESIGN; OPTICAL SYSTEMS; LASER CAVITIES; LASER RADIATION; FREQUENCY MIXING

Citation Formats

Dijaili, S P, Patterson, F G, and Deri, R J. Cross-talk free, low-noise optical amplifier. United States: N. p., 1995. Web.
Dijaili, S P, Patterson, F G, & Deri, R J. Cross-talk free, low-noise optical amplifier. United States.
Dijaili, S P, Patterson, F G, and Deri, R J. Tue . "Cross-talk free, low-noise optical amplifier". United States.
@article{osti_87759,
title = {Cross-talk free, low-noise optical amplifier},
author = {Dijaili, S P and Patterson, F G and Deri, R J},
abstractNote = {A low-noise optical amplifier solves crosstalk problems in optical amplifiers by using an optical cavity oriented off-axis (e.g. perpendicular) to the direction of a signal amplified by the gain medium of the optical amplifier. Several devices are used to suppress parasitic lasing of these types of structures. The parasitic lasing causes the gain of these structures to be practically unusable. The lasing cavity is operated above threshold and the gain of the laser is clamped to overcome the losses of the cavity. Any increase in pumping causes the lasing power to increase. The clamping action of the gain greatly reduces crosstalk due to gain saturation for the amplified signal beam. It also reduces other nonlinearities associated with the gain medium such as four-wave mixing induced crosstalk. This clamping action can occur for a bandwidth defined by the speed of the laser cavity. The lasing field also reduces the response time of the gain medium. By having the lasing field off-axis, no special coatings are needed. Other advantages are that the lasing field is easily separated from the amplified signal and the carrier grating fluctuations induced by four-wave mixing are decreased. Two related methods reduce the amplified spontaneous emission power without sacrificing the gain of the optical amplifier. 11 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1995},
month = {7}
}

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