Method for amplifying laser signals and an amplifier for use in said

Abstract

A method for amplifying a signal pulse of laser light. Preferably, the method is used to amplify 1.3 .mu.m and/or 1.55 .mu.m signal pulses emitted from any 1.3 .mu.m or 1.55 .mu.m signal source, the method comprising providing an amplifying medium, the amplifying medium comprising an elongated core and a light-retaining outer structure surrounding the elongated core. The elongated core preferably comprises a plurality of Cr.sup.4+ -doped crystalline particles capable of lasing at 1.3 .mu.m and/or 1.55 .mu.m and preferably having a size of approximately 0.05 .mu.m to 500 .mu.m. The crystalline particles are dispersed within a non-gaseous medium, the non-gaseous medium having an index of refraction that substantially matches that of the crystalline particles. The method further comprises pumping the elongated core, either transversely or longitudinally, so as to excite the crystalline particles and transmitting the signal pulse of laser light through the elongated core while the crystalline particles are excited whereby the signal pulse of laser light becomes amplified. The present invention is also directed to an amplifier comprising the above-described amplifying medium in combination with a light source capable of pumping the elongated core in such a way as to excite the crystalline particles.