Gain clamped amplifier

U.S. Patent Number: 5872649

Abstract: The gain provided by an erbium amplifier is stabilised by spectrally selective optical feedback to make the amplifier lase. The resulting laser emission is extracted from the amplifier output using a Mach Zehnder with matched Bragg reflectors in its two interference arms. The extracted light may be used for supervisory purposes. Part of the laser cavity defining feedback may be provided by the Mach Zehnder by arranging one of its Bragg reflectors to be displaced with respect to the other.

Inventors: Bryon; Kevin Christopher (Herts, GB), Sugden; Kate (Birmingham, GB)

Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited (Montreal, CA)

Application Number: 08/760,175

Issued: 1999-02-16

Expired: 2007-02-16

Classes: 359/337.11 ; 359/340; 359/346; 372/6; 385/8

Field of search: 359/133,177,340,341,346 385/3,8 372/6,18,19

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