PCT No. PCT/GB90/01950 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 9, 1992 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 9, 1992 PCT Filed Dec. 14, 1990 PCT Pub. No. WO91/09475 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 27, 1991.A lossless optical component includes an input and at least one output. The optical component includes an operational portion and an amplifier portion upstream of the operational portion. The amplifier portion includes an optical amplifier for amplifying optical signals received by the input. The optical amplifier is provided with input optical waveguide via which the optical amplifier is optically pumpable by a remote pump laser. The output of the optical amplifier is proportional to the loss of the operating portion of the optical component.
