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US5223972A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Optical amplifiers, optical communication systems networks using the amplifier and integrated optical nodes including the amplifier

Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1991-05-31
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Granted: 1993-06-29
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Expires: 2011-05-31
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Abstract

Abstract In an optical amplifying apparatus of this invention, there are provided an optical amplifier part for giving a gain to an input light from outside and a selective loss part for giving a light loss of a prescribed ratio for different polarization modes in order to compensate for a polarization dependency of the amplification factor between the input and output lights. Thus, the difference of amplification factors for the different polarization modes is compensated for, as a whole of the apparatus. This polarization non-dependent type optical amplifying apparatus has solved the polarization dependency without degrading other characteristics, so that this can be preferably used in a optical communication system or network. Further, this amplifying apparatus does not require so many external optical components, so this is suitable to the fabrication of a module and is preferably contained in an integrated optical node.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michiyo Nishimura
  • 👤 Jun Nitta
  • 👤 Kenji Nakamura
  • 👤 Masao Majima
  • 👤 Tohru Nakata

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 14:01
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/50; H01S5/5009; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/29; H04B10/291; H04B10/2912; H04B10/2914

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim 94 words
An optical amplifying apparatus comprising: optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency; and selective loss means, provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided, for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 94 words
An optical amplifying apparatus comprising: optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency; and selective loss means, provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided, for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
An optical amplifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said optical amplifier means consists of a semiconductor laser structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 26 words
An optical amplifying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said optical amplifier means and said selective loss means are monolithically formed on a common semiconductor substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
An optical amplifying apparatus according claim 1, further comprising optical coupling means for coupling the input light and the amplified output light to the apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 55 words
An optical amplifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said optical amplifier means has a gain difference for different polarization modes, and said selective loss means, in order to compensate for at least the gain difference for the different polarization modes in said optical amplifier means, gives a loss difference to the different polarization modes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 62 words
An optical amplifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus has a reflectance difference for different polarization modes at end surfaces through which the input light enters and the output light exits, and said selective loss means, in order to compensate for at least the reflectance difference for the different polarization modes, gives a loss difference to the different polarization modes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 61 words
An optical amplifying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said coupling means has an input and output coupling efficiency difference for different polarization modes, and said selective loss means, in order to compensate for at least the input and output coupling efficiency difference for the different polarization modes in said coupling means, gives a loss difference to the different polarization modes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 18 words
An optical amplifying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the different polarization modes are TE and TM modes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 18 words
An optical amplifying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the different polarization modes are TE and TM modes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 18 words
An optical amplifying apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the different polarization modes are TE and TM modes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 51 words
An optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means for giving a gain to input light from outside and selective loss means for compensating for a polarization dependency of an amplification factor between input light to and output light from the apparatus, wherein said selective loss means consists of a directional coupler.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 51 words
An optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means for giving a gain to input light from outside and selective loss means for compensating for a polarization dependency of an amplification factor between input light to and output light from the apparatus, wherein said selective loss means consists of a directional coupler.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 51 words
An optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means for giving a gain to input light from outside and selective loss means for compensating for a polarization dependency of an amplification factor between input light to and output light from the apparatus, wherein said selective loss means consists of a waveguide polarizer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 51 words
An optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means for giving a gain to input light from outside and selective loss means for compensating for a polarization dependency of an amplification factor between input light to and output light from the apparatus, wherein said selective loss means consists of a waveguide polarizer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 29 words
An optical amplifying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least parts of said optical amplifier means and said selective loss means are integrally fabricated in a common waveguide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 96 words
An optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means for giving a gain to input light from outside and selective loss means for compensating for a polarization dependency of an amplification factor between input light to and output light from the apparatus, wherein there are provided a first semiconductor end surface through which the input and output lights are transmitted and a second semiconductor end surface separately formed from said first end surface, and said selective loss means is so structured as to utilize a reflectance difference for different polarization modes at said second semiconductor end surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 96 words
An optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means for giving a gain to input light from outside and selective loss means for compensating for a polarization dependency of an amplification factor between input light to and output light from the apparatus, wherein there are provided a first semiconductor end surface through which the input and output lights are transmitted and a second semiconductor end surface separately formed from said first end surface, and said selective loss means is so structured as to utilize a reflectance difference for different polarization modes at said second semiconductor end surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 21 words
An optical amplifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said optical amplifier means consists of a traveling wave type optical amplifier.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 20 words
An optical amplifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said optical amplifier means consists of a resonator type optical amplifier.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 20 words
An optical amplifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said optical amplifier means consists of a DBR type optical amplifier.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 20 words
An optical amplifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said optical amplifier means consists of a DFB type optical amplifier.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 129 words
An optical communication system comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a transmission line for connecting said transmitter and receiver, and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said optical amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location of said transmitter and receiver.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 129 words
An optical communication system comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a transmission line for connecting said transmitter and receiver, and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said optical amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location of said transmitter and receiver.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 140 words
An optical communication system comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a repeater equipment, a transmission line for connecting said transmitter and receiver through said repeater equipment, and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said optical amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location of said transmitter and receiver and said repeater equipment.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 140 words
An optical communication system comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a repeater equipment, a transmission line for connecting said transmitter and receiver through said repeater equipment, and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said optical amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location of said transmitter and receiver and said repeater equipment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 126 words
A bidirectional optical communication system comprising a plurality of transceivers, a transmission line for connecting said transceivers and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said optical amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location of said transceivers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 126 words
A bidirectional optical communication system comprising a plurality of transceivers, a transmission line for connecting said transceivers and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said optical amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location of said transceivers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 137 words
A bidirectional optical communication system comprising a plurality of transceivers a repeater equipment, a transmission line for connecting said transceivers through said repeater equipment, and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said optical amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location of said transceivers and said repeater equipment.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 137 words
A bidirectional optical communication system comprising a plurality of transceivers a repeater equipment, a transmission line for connecting said transceivers through said repeater equipment, and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said optical amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location of said transceivers and said repeater equipment.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 168 words
A bus-type optical communication network comprising a plurality of terminals, a plurality of transceivers respectively connected to said terminals to perform optical communication among said terminals, at least one transmission line for connecting said transceivers, and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said optical amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location on a light transmitting path from a light transmit part of any one of said transceivers to a light receive part of any one of said transceivers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 168 words
A bus-type optical communication network comprising a plurality of terminals, a plurality of transceivers respectively connected to said terminals to perform optical communication among said terminals, at least one transmission line for connecting said transceivers, and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said optical amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location on a light transmitting path from a light transmit part of any one of said transceivers to a light receive part of any one of said transceivers.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 183 words
An active bus-type optical communication network comprising a plurality of terminals; a plurality of optical nodes each of which includes, at least plural means for transmitting light signal, plural means for receiving light signal and means for controlling communication; a transmission line for connecting said optical nodes; and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location on a light transmitting path from said light signal transmitting means in any one of said optical nodes to said light signal receiving means in any one of said optical nodes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 183 words
An active bus-type optical communication network comprising a plurality of terminals; a plurality of optical nodes each of which includes, at least plural means for transmitting light signal, plural means for receiving light signal and means for controlling communication; a transmission line for connecting said optical nodes; and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location on a light transmitting path from said light signal transmitting means in any one of said optical nodes to said light signal receiving means in any one of said optical nodes.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 147 words
A star-type optical communication network comprising a plurality of transceivers each of which includes a light transmit part and a light receive part, a star coupler, a transmission line for connecting said star coupler to said transceivers, and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location on the light transmitting path.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 147 words
A star-type optical communication network comprising a plurality of transceivers each of which includes a light transmit part and a light receive part, a star coupler, a transmission line for connecting said star coupler to said transceivers, and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location on the light transmitting path.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 141 words
A loop-type optical communication network comprising a plurality of transceivers each of which includes a light transmit part and a light receive part, a transmission line for connecting said transceivers and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said optical amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location on a light transmitting path.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 141 words
A loop-type optical communication network comprising a plurality of transceivers each of which includes a light transmit part and a light receive part, a transmission line for connecting said transceivers and an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency, and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said optical amplifying apparatus being disposed in at least one location on a light transmitting path.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 141 words
An integrated optical node comprising a semiconductor substrate, a channel waveguide formed on said substrate for connecting transmission lines, an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said optical amplifying apparatus being fabricated in said channel waveguide, and an optical coupler for coupling at least one of light transmitter and receiver to the transmission line.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 141 words
An integrated optical node comprising a semiconductor substrate, a channel waveguide formed on said substrate for connecting transmission lines, an optical amplifying apparatus comprising optical amplifier means, provided on one part of said optical amplifying apparatus, for giving a gain to input light from outside, said optical amplifier means having an amplification factor with a polarization dependency and selective loss means provided on another part of said optical amplifying apparatus than the part on which said optical amplifier means is provided for compensating said optical amplifier means, said selective loss means having a loss with a polarization dependency that compensates for the polarization dependency of the amplification factor of said optical amplifier means, said optical amplifying apparatus being fabricated in said channel waveguide, and an optical coupler for coupling at least one of light transmitter and receiver to the transmission line.

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