AMPLIFIER FOR OPTICAL FIBER COMMUNICATION LINK

摘要

A bidirectional optical fiber (12) amplifier suitable for use in a dual payout fiber-optic communication link (10) is disclosed herein. The inventive amplifier (12) is typically encasted in a shell or service loop, and is preferably connected between first and second optical fiber segments (18 and 20). The amplifier (12) includes a pump laser (102) for generating optical energy of a first wavelength. A wavelength selective optical coupler (82), in optical communication with the first fiber segment (18) and the pump laser (102), combines optical energy propagating through the first fiber segment (18) with the optical output of the pump laser (102). The amplifier (12) of the present invention further includes a doped optical fiber (114), optically connected between the wavelength selective optical coupler (82) and the second optical fiber segment (20), for amplifying optical energy within a predetermined wavelength spectrum passing therethrough. The inventive amplifier (12) may be advantageously employed within certain fiber-optic communication links in order to enhance optical signal strength.