AN OPTICAL AMPLIFIER AND A METHOD OF PREVENTING EMISSION THEREFROM OF OPTICAL POWER EXCEEDING A PRESCRIBED SAFETY LIMIT

摘要

An optical amplifier comprises an active fiber (1), a pump unit (2) spaced from the active fiber and adapted to give a nominal, continuous pump power in an operational state, and a pump fiber (3) adapted to transfer optical pump power from the rump unit (2) to the active fiber (1). Moreover, in a safety state, the pump unit (2) is adapted to give a pulsed pump power whose mean power is lower than a prescribes safety limit.A method of preventing emission of optical power exceeding a prescribed safety limit on interruption of an optical fiber (3) which transfers pump power from a pump unit (2) to an active fiber (1), comprises changing the mean power of the pump power in response to a signal received from the active fiber (1) so that the mean power assumes a value below said safety limit if said signal is not received, and assumes a nominal value if said signal is received.