Corning Incorporated

David O Culverhouse

Thomas W McNamara

Shou-Jong Sheih

Richard J Cereo

Techniques for controlling the shape of the gain spectrum of an optical amplifier (,) based on the temperature and level of inversion of the amplifier's amplifying medium (,) are provided. An increase in temperature for an amplifying medium having a high level of inversion results in an increase in gain for longer wavelengths relative to shorter wavelengths, i.e., a counterclockwise tilt of the gain spectrum, while an increase in temperature for an amplifying medium having a lower level of inversion results in the opposite effect, i.e., a clockwise tilt. These effects can be used to compensate for changes in the operating conditions of the amplifier, e.g., to compensate for changes in signal powers. The effects of thermal tuning are especially useful in WDM systems employing multi-stage amplifiers.

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Montour Falls, NY, United States of America

David O Culverhouse