MULTIPLE WAVELENGTH OPTICAL SOURCES

摘要

Optical pumping arrangements are provided for the broadband or multiple wavelength pumping of optical sources. Sources may be based on Raman gain media and may use multiple output couplers to couple out different wavelengt h ranges. Configurations may also be used. Overlapping resonators cascaded Ram an resonators at different wavelengths may be configured to share gain media, a nd may have separate portions in separate optical paths. Attenuation filters ma y also be used that are matched to the gain profile of a gain medium, to flatt en the gain spectrum and allow equalization of gain to different output wavelengths. In one embodiment, polarization maintaining fiber is used to develop resonant conditions at different wavelengths in different polarizati on states. Wideband output gratings may be substituted for narrowband gratings to provide CRR configurations with a broader output band. Broadband amplificati on may also be provided by using a laser source operating in coherence collapse . The multiple wavelength pumping lends itself to a pumping arrangement in whi ch sources at different wavelengths are combined into separate transmission/gai n media such as the different fibers of an optical fiber cable.