Multicore Fiber Amplifier Surge Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multicore optical fiber amplifiers using the clad excitation method, strong population inversion occurs when signal light is not inputted into all cores, leading to optical surges and gain fluctuations in cores with signal light, causing damage to optical components and receivers.
Innovation Solution
A multicore optical fiber amplifier with a multicore optical fiber amplification medium, where signal light is introduced into each core, and control light is introduced into non-signal cores only when excitation light is present, preventing strong population inversion and optical surges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the clad excitation method is used to optically excite multiple cores together with a single excitation light source, then device complexity is reduced and heat generation is suppressed, but strong population inversion occurs when signal light is not inputted into all cores, leading to optical surges and gain fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces control light as an intermediary substance to prevent strong population inversion in non-signal cores. The control light acts as a mediator that absorbs excess excitation energy in cores without signal light, thereby preventing optical surges while maintaining the benefits of the clad excitation method with its single excitation light source configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter state by introducing control light at specific wavelengths into non-signal cores. This parameter change modifies the population inversion state in these cores, preventing the buildup of excessive energy that would otherwise lead to optical surges and gain fluctuations when signal light is later inputted.
2Reliability
If control light is introduced into non-signal cores only when excitation light is present, then strong population inversion is prevented and optical surges are suppressed, but the system requires additional control mechanisms and light introduction means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control light introduction function with the existing signal light introduction infrastructure. The control light is introduced through the same optical fiber cores and uses similar coupling mechanisms as the signal light, thereby reducing the need for completely separate control system hardware and minimizing additional device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the presence or absence of signal light in each core is detected, and control light is dynamically introduced into non-signal cores accordingly. This feedback system automatically adjusts the control light based on the operational state of each core, preventing optical surges without requiring complex manual control mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively suppresses optical surges and maintains gain stability in cores with signal light, preventing damage to optical components and ensuring consistent performance.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of cores doped with a rare earth element; excitation light for exciting the multicore optical fiber amplification medium
Data Source
AI summary
A multicore optical fiber amplifier according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a multicore optical fiber amplification medium including, in a clad, a plurality of cores doped with a rare earth element; signal light introduction means for introducing, into each of the plurality of cores, signal light with a wavelength included in a gain band of the multicore optical fiber amplification medium; excitation light introduction means for introducing, into the clad, excitation light for exciting the multicore optical fiber amplification medium; and control light introduction means for introducing control light into each of the plurality of cores, wherein the control light introduction means introduces the control light into a non-signal core into which the signal light is not being introduced, among the plurality of cores, only when the excitation light is being introduced.