The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 31, 2017
Filed:
Mar. 17, 2016
Ii-vi Incorporated, Saxonburg, PA (US);
Mark H. Garrett, Morgan Hill, CA (US);
Aravanan Gurusami, Morgan Hill, CA (US);
Ian Peter McClean, Brixham, GB;
Nadhum Zayer, Devon, GB;
Eric Timothy Green, Corning, NY (US);
Mark Filipowicz, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Massimo Martinelli, Santa Clara, CA (US);
II-VI Incorporated, Saxonburg, PA (US);
Abstract
An optical amplifier module is configured as a multi-stage free-space optics arrangement, including at least an input stage and an output stage. The actual amplification is provided by a separate fiber-based component coupled to the module. A propagating optical input signal and pump light are provided to the input stage, with the amplified optical signal exiting the output stage. The necessary operations performed on the signal within each stage are provided by directing free-space beams through discrete optical components. The utilization of discrete optical components and free-space beams significantly reduces the number of fiber splices and other types of coupling connections required in prior art amplifier modules, allowing for an automated process to create a 'pluggable' optical amplifier module of small form factor proportions.