| 摘要 |
<p>An optical amplification system capable of operating without being affected by the waveform of the incoming optical signal is provided for amplifying the optical signal in its optical waveguide by the effect of stimulated emission of a fluorescent substance induced by pumped light. According to a first aspect of the invention, an optical amplification system turns on its pumping source 8 when there is an optical signal s1 in the optical waveguide 5 whereas the pumping source 8 is kept off as long as no optical signal s1 is found in the optical waveguide 5 so that, when the pumping source 8 is turned on, pumped light from the pumping source 8 is fed to the optical waveguide 5 with a delay of time relative to the incoming optical signal s1. According to a second aspect of the invention, the inside of the optical waveguide 5 is constantly kept under an excited condition so that, when no optical signal s1 is found in the optical waveguide 5, dummy light s3 is fed to the optical waveguide 5, whereas no dummy light s3 is fed to the optical waveguide 5 once an optical signal s1 is introduced to the optical waveguide 5. With such an arrangement, since no optical amplification takes place at the rising edge of an incoming optical signal and hence the operation of optical amplification is not dependent on the waveform of the incoming optical signal, a safe and stable optical amplification system can be established. <IMAGE></p> |
