Title: Use of a photonic crystal for optical amplifier gain control

Abstract

An optical amplifier having a uniform gain profile uses a photonic crystal to tune the density-of-states of a gain medium so as to modify the light emission rate between atomic states. The density-of-states of the gain medium is tuned by selecting the size, shape, dielectric constant, and spacing of a plurality of microcavity defects in the photonic crystal. The optical amplifier is particularly useful for the regeneration of DWDM signals in long optical fibers.

Inventors:

Lin, Shawn-Yu ^[1]; Fleming, James G ^[1]; El-Kady, Ihab ^[1]

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1. Albuquerque, NM

Issue Date:

Tue Jul 18 00:00:00 EDT 2006

Research Org.:

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

908329

Patent Number(s):

7079309

Application Number:

10/607,065

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01S - DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT

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H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01S - DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT

H01S2301/04 - Gain spectral shaping, flattening
H01S3/063 - Waveguide lasers, {i.e. whereby the dimensions of the waveguide are of the order of the light wavelength
H01S3/1608 - {erbium}
H01S3/1628 - {characterised by a semiconducting matrix}
H01S5/3031 - {Si}
H01S5/50 - Amplifier structures not provided for in groups H01S5/02 - H01S5/30

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION