OPTICAL AMPLIFIER AND METHOD OF AMPLIFYING OPTICAL SIGNALS

摘要

An amplifier for amplifying one or more optical signals. The amplifier has a body for propagating optical signals and the body is doped with a material which will emit light in response to pumping. At least one pump light source is provided having a pump beam path directed through the signal propagating body. The pump light source emits light capable of pumping the light emitting material to cause the light emitting material to emit light. At least one optical signal source is also provided emitting one or more optical signals having one or more optical signal paths through the body. At least one of the optical signal intersects the pump beam path to define a pumped signal path in the body. At least one of the optical signal paths and/or the pump beam path is at least partially unguided along the path through the signal propagating body.