Multi-Source Pumped Optical Amplifier for Lower Operating Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical amplifiers in optical communication systems have high operating currents, leading to increased resistance loss and temperature rise, which affects the reliability and efficiency of the systems.
Innovation Solution
The optical amplifier design includes multiple excitation light sources per core in rare earth element-doped optical fibers, with synthesized excitation light input to each core, and a common driving current for semiconductor lasers, reducing the operating current and resistance loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If multiple excitation light sources are used per core with synthesized excitation light input, then the operating current is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical amplifier divides the excitation light input into multiple separate excitation light sources (first, second, and third excitation light sources) that are coupled to different portions of the rare earth elements in the doped optical fiber. This segmentation allows each light source to pump specific portions of the fiber, enabling reduced current per source while maintaining overall amplification effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple excitation light sources to pump a single doped optical fiber core. The first, second, and third excitation light sources are merged in their pumping action on the rare earth elements, creating a combined excitation effect that achieves the required amplification with lower individual source currents than a single source would require.
2Power
If high operating current is used in optical amplifier, then the amplification performance is maintained, but the resistance loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The total excitation current required for amplification is segmented across multiple excitation light sources. Instead of one high-current source, the patent uses multiple sources (first, second, third excitation light sources) that each operate at lower current levels, reducing the overall resistance loss in the system while maintaining the necessary total pumping power for amplification.
3Power
If high operating current is used in optical amplifier, then the amplification performance is maintained, but the temperature rise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the excitation function across multiple light sources operating at lower currents, which reduces the heat generation per source and overall temperature rise compared to a single high-current source. The distributed pumping action of the first, second, and third excitation light sources spreads the thermal load.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the rare earth elements in the doped optical fiber are pumped by different excitation light sources. This local quality approach allows each source to target specific regions or portions of the fiber, optimizing the pumping efficiency and reducing unnecessary heat generation in regions that don't require excitation.
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 configuration results in an optical amplifier with significantly reduced operating current, lower power consumption, and decreased resistance loss, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the optical communication system.
Implementation Method 1
two or more excitation light sources L per single core Ce of the one or more rare earth element-doped optical fibers EF, configured to emit excitation light Lp for exciting a rare earth element
Implementation Method 2
excitation light Lp for exciting a rare earth element added to the one or more rare earth element-doped optical fibers EF
Implementation Method 3
a synthesizing part PB configured to synthesize the excitation light Lp emitted from the two or more excitation light sources L per single core Ce
Data Source
AI summary
An optical amplifier includes one or more rare earth element-doped optical fibers each including one or more cores, two or more excitation light sources per single core of the one or more rare earth element-doped optical fibers, configured to emit excitation light for exciting a rare earth element added to the one or more rare earth element-doped optical fibers according to a driving current, and a synthesizing part configured to synthesize the excitation light emitted from the two or more excitation light sources per single core. Two or more cores are provided in total, and the excitation light emitted from the two or more excitation light sources per single core is synthesized and input with respect to each core.