Broadband light source

摘要

A source of broadband optical power comprising a broadband light source (15), an optical fiber amplifier (12) and a relative intensity noise reduction system (32, 52, 78). The optical fiber amplifier (12) amplifies an optical input signal to prove an amplified source optical signal an output port (18). A coupler (22) samples a portion of the broadband optical power out of the output port (18) as a sample portion signal (26). A detector (30) and transimpedance amplifier (40) detect the optical signal and provide a buffered signal (42) and provides an output control signal (48) to a light source (ELED 15) responsive to a composite bias and control current for providing an output optical signal. The output optical signal (14) is coupled to the input (20) of the optical fiber amplifier. The output optical signal from the ELED (15) has a substantially constant output intensity level and smooth and bell shaped broadband spectrum with a center optical wavelength within the gain bandwidth of the optical fiber amplifier (12). <IMAGE>