Paul L Hull

US Patent:

6441952, Aug 27, 2002

Filed:

Jul 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/898244

Inventors:

Xiaodong Duan - Plano TX
Guohua Xiao - Plano TX
Lintao Zhang - Richardson TX
Dongqi Liu - Dallas TX
Gang Li - Richardson TX
Paul Hull - Carrollton TX
Charles Xiaoping Mao - Plano TX
Simon Xiaofan Cao - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Avanex Corporation - Fremont CA

International Classification:

H01S 300

US Classification:

359334, 359337, 3593414

Abstract:

The present invention provides a hybrid Raman/EDFA optical amplifier that utilizes a first optical detector that generates a first electrical or electronic signal that is proportional the combined optical power of the signal light and the leaked pump laser light, a second optical detector that generates a second electrical or electronic signal that is proportional to the power of the pump laser light and an electronic subtraction circuit that receives the first and second electrical or electronic signals and generates a difference signal that is proportional to only to the optical power of the signal light and insensitive to the power of the Raman pump laser light. The difference signal is utilized by an EDFA control circuit to control and/or adjust the operation of the EDFA based upon changes in the power of the input optical signal.