WO2016182068A1 - Light source for raman amplification, light source system for raman amplification, raman amplifier, raman amplifying system - Google Patents

Abstract

This light source for Raman amplification for Raman-amplifying a signal light, which is transmitted through a light transmission fiber, is provided with: a plurality of incoherent light sources which output an incoherent light; a plurality of excitation light sources which output a secondary excited light having a wavelength at which the incoherent light is Raman-amplified; an optical fiber for Raman-amplification which is connected to the plurality of incoherent light sources and the plurality of excitation light sources and in which the incoherent light is Raman-amplified by the secondary excited light to be output; and an output unit which is connected to the light transmission fiber, receives the incoherent amplified light, which has been Raman-amplified through the optical fiber for Raman-amplification, and outputs, as a primary excited light having a wavelength at which the signal light is Raman-amplified, the incoherent amplified light to the light transmission fiber.

Description

Raman amplification light source, Raman amplification light source system, Raman amplifier, Raman amplification system

The present invention relates to a light source for Raman amplification, a light source system for Raman amplification, a Raman amplifier, and a Raman amplification system.

So far, in optical fiber communication, the transmission distance and transmission capacity have been expanded by using an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA). However, at present, it is an indispensable technique to utilize not only EDFA but also Raman amplification and effectively combine the two. At present, the main use as Raman amplification is backward pumping Raman amplification in which pumping light is incident on an optical fiber for Raman amplification so as to propagate in a direction opposite to the propagation direction of signal light. However, for further acceleration (100 Gb / s), longer distance (100 km transmission), and wider bandwidth (utilization of L, S-band) for the next generation, Raman amplification called forward excitation Raman amplification The key is to use a method in which excitation light is incident on the optical fiber for use in the same direction as the propagation direction of the signal light simultaneously with the backward excitation Raman amplification. This method is called bidirectional excitation Raman amplification. In addition, flattening of Raman gain and broadening of the bandwidth can be achieved by using only the backward pumping Raman amplification by using the wavelength multiplexing pumping method, but flattening of the noise figure (NF) cannot be achieved without using bidirectional pumping Raman amplification. Have been reported (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Here, aside from the 14XX nm band semiconductor laser module (LDM) that has been widely used as an excitation light source for EDFA, a new incoherent excitation light source for forward excitation Raman amplification will be described. The main characteristics required for Raman amplification, particularly forward excitation Raman amplification, are listed below.
(1) Low RIN transfer (Relative Intensity Noise)
(2) Low SBS (Stimulated Brillouin Scattering)
(3) Low non-linear effect In addition to this, in order to cope with the current wideband wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM transmission),
(4) It is necessary to perform optical amplification by controlling amplification gain in a wide wavelength range.

RIN is an index obtained by standardizing a minute intensity fluctuation component of laser light with all light output. In the phenomenon of Raman amplification, the lifetime of an excitation level that generates a gain is short (≈several fsec). Therefore, if there is intensity noise in the excitation light source, it becomes noise of the signal light as it is through the amplification process. In EDFA, since the lifetime of the excitation level is long (≈10 msec), there is no such fear. In Raman amplification, the gain per unit length is very small compared to EDFA, but in forward pumping Raman amplification, signal light and pumping light propagate together in an optical fiber over a long distance, so that pumping is gradually performed. Light noise changes as signal light noise. This is called RIN transfer. In the backward pumping Raman amplification, since the signal light and the pumping light face each other, the time when the pumping light having a certain noise component and the signal light intersect is short, and the noise of the pumping light has little influence on the signal light. Moreover, since the noise of the excitation light is random, even if the signal light is affected, it is averaged as it travels oppositely. As can be seen from the above, the forward pumping Raman amplification requires a characteristic that the RIN transfer is low, in particular, the group velocity difference between the signal light and the pumping light is small, and the time for transmitting through the optical fiber in parallel becomes long. In dispersion shifted fiber (DSF) or the like, this reduction in RIN transfer is important.

SBS is one of the third-order nonlinear optical effects, and is a phenomenon in which part of light is scattered backward by acoustic phonons excited in an optical fiber by light. As for the excitation light, when SBS occurs, the excitation light is scattered backward, which is not preferable because it does not contribute to Raman amplification effectively. In general, if the total light output intensity is the same, a pump light source that emits single mode oscillation and narrow linewidth laser light easily generates SBS. Therefore, the number of oscillation longitudinal modes is increased to increase the number of longitudinal modes. The pumping light source with a reduced light output can suppress SBS without reducing the Raman gain. If the oscillation longitudinal mode is a continuous light source having a broad spectrum width, SBS can be suppressed even more effectively.

Non-linear effects must be avoided because they cause signal light distortion and lead to communication quality degradation. Current optical communication is generally wavelength multiplex communication, and even if the power of signal light of one wavelength is small, the overall power is increased by multiplexing. For example, even if the power of signal light of each wavelength is 1 mW, if 100 wave multiplexing is performed, the total power becomes 100 mW. When optical signal amplification is performed to compensate for loss in the transmission line, if the signal light is amplified at a position with a lumped constant amplifier such as EDFA at a time, the power of the amplified signal light is transmitted. Since it is introduced into the road at once, nonlinear effects are likely to be caused. To avoid this, it is advantageous to gradually amplify with a distributed constant amplifier such as Raman amplification. However, in forward pumped Raman amplification, the Raman amplification gain exceeds the transmission loss of the optical fiber that is the transmission line on the incident side of the transmission line. In this part, the power of the signal light in the optical fiber is at the incident end of the signal light. It becomes larger than power and is likely to cause a nonlinear effect. In order to avoid this, higher-order Raman amplification is being studied in which Raman amplification is repeated until the wavelength at which Raman excitation light can be used as signal light excitation light in cascade. For example, in order to Raman-amplify signal light in the 1550 nm band, excitation light having a wavelength of about 1450 nm is used. At this time, the excitation light having a wavelength of about 1350 nm is Raman-amplified and the Raman amplification is performed. It is based on the principle that 1450 nm excitation light Raman-amplifies signal light in the 1550 nm band. By doing so, the pump light of 1450 nm that Raman-amplifies the signal light at the incident end of the transmission line has low power, so the Raman gain of the signal light in the 1550 nm band is small, and the excitation of 1450 nm is performed as the signal light is transmitted. The light is amplified by 1350 nm excitation light, and the Raman gain for the signal light in the 1550 nm band increases. This makes it possible to regard the transmission line as a transmission line as if the transmission line loss and Raman gain were successfully canceled and the transmission loss of the optical fiber was zero, and the nonlinear effect was reduced. Further reduction is possible. At this time, 1450 nm excitation light is called primary excitation light, 1350 nm excitation light is called secondary excitation light, and this system is called a secondary excitation system. High-order Raman excitation systems such as the 3rd order and 4th order have been studied based on the same principle. Even in such a high-order Raman excitation system, low RIN transfer and low SBS are high quality transmission. Is essential.

Conventionally, various techniques have been disclosed in order to solve the above four problems (Non-patent Documents 3 and 4, Patent Documents 1 to 4).

Japanese Patent No. 3676167 U.S. Pat. No. 07190861 U.S. Pat. No. 07215836 U.S. Pat. No. 07233431

However, the Raman amplification light source, the Raman amplification light source system, the Raman amplifier, and the Raman amplification system that can solve the above-described four problems at the same time have not yet achieved practical characteristics.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a Raman amplification light source, a Raman amplification light source system, a Raman amplifier, and a Raman amplification system that can simultaneously solve the four problems.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a Raman amplification light source according to one aspect of the present invention Raman-amplifies signal light transmitted through an optical transmission fiber by stimulated Raman scattering in the optical transmission fiber. A plurality of incoherent light sources for outputting incoherent light; a plurality of pumping light sources for outputting secondary pumping light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the incoherent light; An optical fiber for Raman amplification connected to an incoherent light source and the plurality of pumping light sources, and Raman-amplifying the input incoherent light with the input secondary pumping light; and the optical transmission fiber Connected, and the incoherent amplified light Raman-amplified by the Raman-amplifying optical fiber is input, The Rento amplified light, characterized in that it comprises an output unit for outputting to said optical transmission fiber the signal light as the primary excitation light having a wavelength of Raman amplification.

The Raman amplification light source according to an aspect of the present invention includes the plurality of incoherent light sources and the plurality of excitation light sources in the Raman amplification optical fiber such that the secondary excitation light pumps the incoherent light forward. It is connected.

The Raman amplification light source according to an aspect of the present invention includes the plurality of incoherent light sources and the plurality of excitation light sources in the Raman amplification optical fiber so that the secondary excitation light pumps the incoherent light backward. It is connected.

The Raman amplification light source according to an aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the output unit is connected to the optical transmission fiber so that the primary pumping light pumps the signal light forward.

The Raman amplification light source according to an aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the output unit is connected to the optical transmission fiber so that the primary pumping light pumps the signal light backward.

A Raman amplification light source according to an aspect of the present invention is a Raman amplification light source for Raman amplification of signal light transmitted through an optical transmission fiber with the optical transmission fiber, and a plurality of incoherent light outputs incoherent light. Connected to a light source, a plurality of pumping light sources that output secondary pumping light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the incoherent light, the plurality of incoherent light sources, the plurality of pumping light sources, and the optical transmission fiber, An output unit that outputs the input incoherent light and the secondary pumping light so as to propagate in the same direction through the optical transmission fiber, wherein the input incoherent light is transmitted in the optical transmission fiber; Raman amplification is performed by the input secondary excitation light, and primary excitation light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the signal light is generated. And wherein the Rukoto.

A Raman amplification light source according to an aspect of the present invention includes an excitation light source that outputs excitation light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of secondary excitation light output from at least one of the plurality of excitation light sources. To do.

The Raman amplification light source according to an aspect of the present invention is the ASE (Amplified Spontaneous Emission) light source including the SLD (Super Luminescent Diode), the SOA (Semiconductor Optical Amplifier), and the rare earth-doped optical fiber. It contains at least one.

In the Raman amplification light source according to an aspect of the present invention, the plurality of incoherent light sources include an SLD and an SOA, and the incoherent light output from the SLD is optically amplified by the SOA and output. An incoherent light source is included.

The Raman amplification light source according to an aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the plurality of incoherent light sources include incoherent light sources configured by connecting SOAs in multiple stages.

In the Raman amplification light source according to an aspect of the present invention, the plurality of excitation light sources include a Fabry-Perot (FP) type, an FP type combined with an optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG), a DFB type, And at least one of DBR type semiconductor lasers.

The Raman amplification light source according to an aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the plurality of incoherent light sources include incoherent light sources that output incoherent light in different wavelength bands.

A Raman amplification light source system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a Raman amplification light source according to an aspect of the present invention and a Raman amplification light source according to an aspect of the present invention, and an output of each of the Raman amplification light sources. The unit is connected to the optical transmission fiber so that the primary pumping light bi-directionally pumps the signal light.

A Raman amplification light source system according to an aspect of the present invention includes two Raman amplification light sources according to an aspect of the present invention, and an output unit of each Raman amplification light source includes the primary excitation light as the signal light. It is connected to the optical transmission fiber so as to be bi-directionally excited.

A Raman amplification light source system according to an aspect of the present invention is a Raman amplification light source system for Raman-amplifying signal light transmitted through an optical transmission fiber with the optical transmission fiber, and outputs first incoherent light. A plurality of incoherent light sources, a first output unit connected to the first plurality of incoherent light sources and the optical transmission fiber, and outputting the incoherent light to the optical transmission fiber. A first light source unit, a first plurality of pump light sources that output secondary pump light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the incoherent light, the first pump light sources, and the optical transmission fiber. A second light source unit including a second output unit that outputs the secondary pumping light to the optical transmission fiber, and the first output unit and the second output unit. The output unit refers to the optical transmission so that the incoherent light and the secondary excitation light propagate in the optical transmission fiber in opposite directions between the first output unit and the second output unit. In the optical transmission fiber connected to the fiber and between the first output unit and the second output unit, the input incoherent light is Raman amplified by the input secondary pumping light. The primary pumping light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the signal light is generated.

In the Raman amplification light source system according to one aspect of the present invention, the second light source unit outputs a second plurality of incoherent lights having a wavelength that is Raman-amplified by the secondary excitation light. A coherent light source, and the first light source unit includes a second plurality of pump light sources that output second secondary pump light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the second incoherent light, and The second output unit of the light source unit is connected to the second plurality of incoherent light sources, outputs the second incoherent light to the optical transmission fiber, and outputs the second incoherent light of the first light source unit. The first output unit is connected to the second plurality of pumping light sources, outputs the second secondary pumping light to the optical transmission fiber, and the first output unit and the second output unit. Is the second incoherent light and the front A second secondary pumping light is connected to the optical transmission fiber so as to propagate in the opposite direction between the first output unit and the second output unit, In the optical transmission fiber between the first output unit and the second output unit, the input second incoherent light is Raman amplified by the input second secondary pumping light, A second primary pumping light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the signal light is generated.

In the Raman amplification light source system according to one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of incoherent light sources include an ASE (Amplified Spontaneous Emission) light source including an SLD (Super Luminescent Diode), an SOA (Semiconductor Optical Amplifier), and a rare earth-doped optical fiber. It is characterized by including at least one of these.

In the Raman amplification light source system according to an aspect of the present invention, the plurality of incoherent light sources include an SLD and an SOA, and the incoherent light output from the SLD is optically amplified by the SOA and output. An incoherent light source is included.

The Raman amplification light source system according to an aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the plurality of incoherent light sources include an incoherent light source configured by connecting SOAs in multiple stages.

In the Raman amplification light source system according to one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of excitation light sources are Fabry-Perot (FP) type having different wavelengths, FP type, and FP-FBG in which an optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is combined. It includes at least one of a type, a DFB type, and a DBR type semiconductor laser.

The Raman amplification light source system according to an aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the plurality of incoherent light sources include incoherent light sources that output incoherent light in different wavelength bands.

A Raman amplifier according to an aspect of the present invention includes the Raman amplification light source or the Raman amplification light source system according to an aspect of the present invention, and the optical transmission fiber.

A Raman amplification system according to an aspect of the present invention includes the Raman amplification light source or the Raman amplification light source system according to an aspect of the present invention, and the optical transmission fiber.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a Raman amplification light source, a Raman amplification light source system, a Raman amplifier, and a Raman amplification system that can simultaneously solve the four problems.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using a Raman amplification light source according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the WDM coupler. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the WDM coupler. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of wavelengths of incoherent light and secondary excitation light. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using a Raman amplification light source according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source system according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source system according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source system according to the ninth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source system according to the tenth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an incoherent light source.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a Raman amplification light source, a Raman amplification light source system, a Raman amplifier, and a Raman amplification system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Moreover, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected suitably to the same or corresponding element.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using a Raman amplification light source according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a Raman amplification system 100 includes a transmitter 1001 that transmits signal light S1 that is WDM signal light in a 1.55 μm band, an optical transmission fiber 1002 that is a transmission path that transmits the signal light S1, The optical transmission system 1000 includes a receiver 1003 that receives the signal light S1. The Raman amplification system 100 is composed of a Raman amplification light source 10 and an optical transmission fiber 1002. Note that the Raman amplification system 100 according to the first embodiment and the Raman amplification systems according to the following embodiments are also configured as Raman amplifiers.

The Raman amplification light source 10 includes a plurality of incoherent light sources 11, a plurality of excitation light sources 12, a WDM coupler 13, a Raman amplification optical fiber 14, and a WDM coupler 15 as an output unit.

The plurality of incoherent light sources 11 output incoherent light IL having different wavelengths from each other. Note that the incoherent light is not a laser light source that oscillates in a single or a plurality of discrete modes (longitudinal modes) but means light that is a set of uncorrelated photons having a continuous spectrum. The plurality of incoherent light sources 11 include at least one of an ASE (Amplified Spontaneous Emission) light source including an SLD (Super Luminescent Diode), an SOA (Semiconductor Optical Amplifier), and a rare earth doped optical fiber (for example, EDF). In Embodiment 1, it is assumed that all are SLDs.

The plurality of excitation light sources 12 each output secondary excitation light SPL having wavelengths different from each other and having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the incoherent light IL. The plurality of pumping light sources 12 are at least one of a Fabry-Perot (FP) type, a FP type, and an FP-FBG type, a DFB type, and a DBR type semiconductor laser having a combination of an FP type and an optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG). In the first embodiment, it is assumed that all are FP semiconductor lasers.

The WDM coupler 13 combines each incoherent light IL and each secondary excitation light SPL and outputs the combined light. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the WDM coupler 13. The WDM coupler 13 has a configuration in which a plurality of WDM couplers 13a made of a dielectric multilayer filter and a plurality of WDM couplers 13b made of a dielectric multilayer filter are connected in series by an optical fiber. Each WDM coupler 13a is connected to each incoherent light source 11 by an optical fiber, has a wavelength characteristic that reflects incoherent light IL output from the connected incoherent light source 11 and transmits light of other wavelengths. Have. Similarly, each WDM coupler 13b is connected to each pumping light source 12 by an optical fiber, reflects the secondary pumping light SPL output from the connected pumping light source 12, and transmits light of other wavelengths. Has characteristics. Thereby, the WDM coupler 13 can multiplex each incoherent light IL and each secondary excitation light SPL, and can output it from the output port 13c.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a WDM coupler 13 'which is another example of the configuration of the WDM coupler. The WDM coupler 13 'includes an AWG (Arrayed Waveguide Gratings) 13'a using a planar lightwave circuit (PLC). Each of the plurality of ports 13′aa on the multi-port side of the AWG 13′a is connected to each incoherent light source 11, and each of the plurality of ports 13′ab is connected to each excitation light source 12. As a result, the WDM coupler 13 'can multiplex each incoherent light IL and each secondary pumping light SPL and output them from the output port 13'ac.

Return to Figure 1. The Raman amplification optical fiber 14 is connected to the plurality of incoherent light sources 11 and the plurality of pumping light sources 12 via the WDM coupler 13, and each secondary pumping light SPL to which the input incoherent light IL is input. Is Raman amplified and output as incoherent amplified light. The Raman amplification optical fiber 14 is a known optical fiber such as a highly nonlinear optical fiber. Here, the plurality of incoherent light sources 11 and the plurality of pumping light sources 12 are connected to the Raman amplification optical fiber 14 via the WDM coupler 13 so that each secondary pumping light SPL forwardly pumps each incoherent light IL. Has been. That is, in the Raman amplification optical fiber 14, the propagation directions of the secondary pumping light SPL and the incoherent light IL are the same.

The WDM coupler 15 serving as an output unit is connected to an optical transmission fiber 1002 and receives incoherent amplified light. The optical transmission fiber 1002 is used as primary pumping light FPL having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the signal light S1. Output to. The WDM coupler 15 is a known WDM coupler using a dielectric multilayer filter or the like. Here, the WDM coupler 15 is connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so that the primary pumping light FPL pumps the signal light S1 forward. That is, the WDM coupler 15 is connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so that the propagation direction of the primary pumping light FPL is the same as the propagation direction of the signal light S1. Thereby, the signal light S1 transmitted through the optical transmission fiber 1002 is Raman-amplified by the primary pumping light FPL due to the stimulated Raman scattering phenomenon in the optical transmission fiber 1002.

It is known that when incoherent light is used as the primary pumping light, RIN transfer from the primary pumping light to the signal light can be reduced. However, since the output power of the incoherent light source is generally small, Raman amplification is performed as it is. It is difficult to use as a primary excitation light source.

On the other hand, the present inventors can reduce RIN transfer to signal light even when incoherent light Raman-amplified by coherent secondary pumping light such as FP semiconductor laser is used as primary pumping light. I found it. In the Raman amplification system 100, in the Raman amplification light source 10, a plurality of excitation light sources 12 made of FP type semiconductor lasers are used as secondary excitation light SPL, and incoherent light Raman-amplified by the Raman amplification optical fiber 14 is subjected to primary excitation. The signal light S1 is Raman-amplified by the optical transmission fiber 1002 as the optical FPL. Thereby, a low RIN transfer is realized.

Further, the incoherent light IL has a wider wavelength band of light emission than a coherent light source such as an FP type semiconductor laser, and has a peak intensity lower than the whole intensity of light emission. Therefore, low SBS is realizable by amplifying this and using it as primary excitation light FPL. Further, due to the wide wavelength band of the emission of the incoherent light IL, it is difficult for the four-wave mixing, which is a typical nonlinear effect, to satisfy the phase matching condition, and the generation of the four-wave mixing is suppressed. Thereby, a low nonlinear effect is realizable.

Furthermore, since it includes a plurality of incoherent light sources 11 that output incoherent light IL having different wavelengths, and a plurality of pumping light sources 12 that output secondary pumping light SPL each having a different wavelength, broadband It is possible to perform optical amplification by controlling the amplification gain of signal light in a wide wavelength range.

As described above, the Raman amplification light source 10 can solve the above four problems at the same time.

Note that the wavelength, number, band, and power of the excitation light source 12 and the incoherent light source 11 can be appropriately adjusted according to the amplification band, desired gain, and gain flatness of the signal light S1 to be amplified.

Next, an example of wavelength arrangement and power of incoherent light and secondary excitation light will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of wavelengths of incoherent light and secondary excitation light. In the example shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the number of incoherent light sources 11 (SLD) is two and the number of excitation light sources 12 (excitation FP-LD) is four. As shown in FIG. 4, the wavelengths of the secondary excitation light SPLA, SPLB, SPLC, and SPLD are 1350 nm, 1370 nm, 1380 nm, and 1400 nm, respectively, and the power is 250 mW. In addition, the wavelengths of the incoherent lights ILA and ILB are 1450 nm and 1480 nm, respectively, the 3 dB bandwidth is 30 nm, and the power is 5 mW. Raman gain band with Raman peaks RPA, RPB, RPC, RPD due to each secondary excitation light at the position on the long wavelength side shifted by about 100 nm from each of the secondary excitation light SPLA, SPLB, SPLC, SPLD. Is formed. As a result, the incoherent lights ILA and ILB are Raman-amplified and become the primary excitation light FPL. Here, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the Raman peaks RPA, RPB, RPC are divided into wavelengths having a low light intensity on the long wavelength side and a wavelength having a low light intensity on the short wavelength side relative to the peak wavelengths of the incoherent lights ILA, ILB. Since the wavelengths of the secondary pumping light SPLA, SPLB, SPLC, and SPLD are set so that the RPD is positioned, high Raman gain is given to the light having a low light intensity of the incoherent light ILA and ILB. Can do. As a result, the primary excitation light FPL has a flatter spectral shape with respect to the wavelength.

For example, in the first embodiment, when the secondary pumping light SPLA, SPLB, SPLC, SPLD, incoherent light ILA, ILB is set as described above, the power is high and the broadband incoherent of about 1430 nm to 1500 nm is set. Raman amplified light (primary excitation light) is obtained, and C + L band signal light from 1530 nm to 1625 nm, which is used in optical communication, can be Raman amplified.

In addition, in a plurality of incoherent light sources 11, by combining different types of incoherent light sources that output incoherent light in different wavelength bands, such as an ASE light source using SLD and EDF, an SOA and ASE light source, and an SOA and SLD, excitation light is combined. If the wavelength band is widened, the gain band can be easily widened. For example, when an SOA operating in a wavelength band of several tens of nm centered on the 1480 nm band is used as an incoherent light source, it is difficult to operate the SOA at other wavelengths. Therefore, when the SOA and the SLD or ASE light source are used in combination, the excitation light wavelength band can be expanded not only to the 1480 nm band but also to the 1300 nm band and the 1550 nm band. Also, as an ASE light source, an optical fiber connected with an optical fiber added with different rare earth elements (Er or Er and Al ₂ O ₃ or Yb co-doped, PbS semiconductor quantum dots), or an optical fiber co-doped with different rare earth elements By using an ASE light source using, the excitation light wavelength band can be broadened.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source according to the second embodiment. The Raman amplification system 100A is composed of a Raman amplification light source 10A and an optical transmission fiber 1002.

The Raman amplification light source 10A includes a plurality of incoherent light sources 11, a plurality of excitation light sources 12, WDM couplers 13Aa and 13Ab, a Raman amplification optical fiber 14, and a WDM coupler 15.

WDM coupler 13Aa combines and outputs each incoherent light IL. The WDM coupler 13Ab combines and outputs the respective secondary pumping lights SPL. The WDM couplers 13Aa and 13Ab can be configured using a dielectric multilayer filter or AWG as illustrated in FIGS.

The Raman amplification optical fiber 14 is connected to a plurality of incoherent light sources 11 via a WDM coupler 13Aa, and is connected to a plurality of excitation light sources 12 via a WDM coupler 13Ab. The Raman amplification optical fiber 14 Raman-amplifies each input incoherent light IL with each input secondary excitation light SPL, and outputs it as incoherent amplified light. Here, each of the plurality of incoherent light sources 11 and the plurality of pumping light sources 12 is used for Raman amplification via each of the WDM couplers 13Aa and 13Ab so that each secondary pumping light SPL pumps each incoherent light IL backward. It is connected to the optical fiber 14. That is, in the Raman amplification optical fiber 14, the propagation directions of the secondary pumping light SPL and the incoherent light IL are opposite to each other.

The WDM coupler 15 is connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002, receives incoherent amplified light, and outputs it to the optical transmission fiber 1002 as primary pumping light FPL having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the signal light S1. Here, the WDM coupler 15 is connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so that the primary pumping light FPL pumps the signal light S1 forward. Thereby, the signal light S1 is Raman amplified by the primary pumping light FPL in the optical transmission fiber 1002.

The Raman amplification light source 10A can solve the above-described four problems at the same time as the Raman amplification light source 10. Furthermore, in this Raman amplification light source 10A, in the Raman amplification optical fiber 14, each secondary pumping light SPL Raman-amplifies each incoherent light IL by backward pumping. Thereby, since each secondary excitation light SPL further reduces the RIN transfer of each incoherent light IL, the RIN transfer to the signal light S1 is further reduced.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source according to the third embodiment. The Raman amplification system 100B includes a Raman amplification light source 10B and an optical transmission fiber 1002.

The Raman amplification light source 10B has a configuration in which the WDM coupler 15 of the Raman amplification light source 10 is replaced with a WDM coupler 15B. The WDM coupler 15B is connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002, receives incoherent amplified light, and outputs it to the optical transmission fiber 1002 as primary pumping light FPL having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the signal light S1. Here, the WDM coupler 15B is connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so that the primary pumping light FPL pumps the signal light S1 backward. That is, the WDM coupler 15B is connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so that the propagation direction of the primary pumping light FPL is opposite to the propagation direction of the signal light S1. Thereby, the signal light S1 is Raman amplified by the primary pumping light FPL in the optical transmission fiber 1002.

The Raman amplification light source 10B can solve the above-described four problems at the same time as the Raman amplification light source 10. Further, in the case of the Raman amplification light source 10B, the low nonlinear effect can be further suppressed as compared with the case of the forward excitation type like the Raman amplification light source 10. Since this is a backward pumping type, since the signal light S1 begins to receive transmission loss of the optical transmission fiber 1002 and the power starts to decrease, the signal light S1 is amplified by Raman amplification by the primary pumping light FPL. Because the primary pumping light FPL and the signal light S1 propagate in the opposite directions than in the optical transmission fiber 1002, it is more difficult to satisfy the phase matching condition causing the nonlinear effect than forward pumping. .

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source according to the fourth embodiment. The Raman amplification system 100C is composed of a Raman amplification light source 10C and an optical transmission fiber 1002.

The Raman amplification light source 10C has a configuration in which the WDM coupler 15 of the Raman amplification light source 10A is replaced with a WDM coupler 15C. The WDM coupler 15C is connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002, receives incoherent amplified light, and outputs it to the optical transmission fiber 1002 as primary pumping light FPL having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the signal light S1. Here, the WDM coupler 15C is connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so that the primary pumping light FPL pumps the signal light S1 backward. That is, the WDM coupler 15C is connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so that the propagation direction of the primary pumping light FPL is opposite to the propagation direction of the signal light S1. Thereby, the signal light S1 is Raman amplified by the primary pumping light FPL in the optical transmission fiber 1002.

The Raman amplification light source 10C can solve the above four problems at the same time as the Raman amplification light source 10. Furthermore, in this Raman amplification light source 10C, as in the Raman amplification light source 10A, in the Raman amplification optical fiber 14, each secondary excitation light SPL Raman-amplifies each incoherent light IL by backward excitation. Thereby, since each secondary excitation light SPL further reduces the RIN transfer of each incoherent light IL, the RIN transfer to the signal light S1 is further reduced.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source according to the fifth embodiment. The Raman amplification system 100D includes a Raman amplification light source system 10D and an optical transmission fiber 1002.

The Raman amplification light source system 10D includes a Raman amplification light source 10 and a Raman amplification light source 10B. The WDM couplers 15 and 15B of the Raman amplification light sources 10 and 10B output from the WDM couplers 15 and 15B, respectively. The primary pumping light FPL is connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so as to bi-directionally pump the signal light S1. That is, the Raman amplification system 100D is a bidirectional excitation system using the Raman amplification light source system 10D.

The Raman amplification light source system 10D can also solve the above four problems at the same time. Furthermore, according to the Raman amplification light source system 10D, it is easy to achieve the flattening of the wavelength of Raman gain, the broadening of the bandwidth, and the flattening of the NF because of the bidirectional excitation type.

The Raman amplification light source 10A and the Raman amplification light source 10C constitute a Raman amplification light source system, and the primary excitation light FPL output from the WDM couplers 15 and 15C of the Raman amplification light sources 10A and 10C, respectively. May be connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so as to bidirectionally pump the signal light S1, and a bidirectionally pumped Raman amplification system similar to the Raman amplification system 100D may be configured.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using a Raman amplification light source according to the sixth embodiment. The Raman amplification system 100E includes a Raman amplification light source 10E and an optical transmission fiber 1002.

The Raman amplification light source 10E includes a plurality of incoherent light sources 11, a plurality of excitation light sources 12, and a WDM coupler 13 as an output unit.

The WDM coupler 13 is connected to a plurality of incoherent light sources 11, a plurality of pumping light sources 12, and an optical transmission fiber 1002, and is input from each incoherent light IL input from each incoherent light source 11 and each pumping light source 12. Each secondary pumping light SPL is output so as to propagate through the optical transmission fiber 1002 in the same direction. Further, the WDM coupler 13 is connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so that each incoherent light IL and each secondary pumping light SPL propagate in the same direction as the signal light S1 in the optical transmission fiber 1002. Such a configuration can be realized by connecting the WDM coupler 13 shown in FIG. 2 to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so that the signal light S1 is input from the input port 13d and output from the output port 13c. When the WDM coupler 13 'shown in FIG. 3 is used, a signal light multiplexing port 13'ad is provided, the signal light S1 is input from the port 13'ad, and the signal light S1 is output from the output port 13'ac. And each incoherent light IL and each secondary pumping light SPL may be coupled to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so as to be output.

In this Raman amplification system 100E, each incoherent light IL is gradually Raman-amplified by each secondary excitation light SPL in the optical transmission fiber 1002, and primary excitation light FPL having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the signal light S1 is generated. The The primary pumping light FPL propagates in the same direction as the signal light S1, and Raman-amplifies the signal light S1. That is, the Raman amplification system 100E is a forward excitation type and secondary excitation type Raman amplification system.

This Raman amplification light source 10E can also solve the above four problems at the same time. Further, according to the Raman amplification light source 10E, the primary pumping light FPL for Raman amplification of the signal light S1 in the optical transmission fiber 1002 in the vicinity of the WDM coupler 13 has a small power, but the Raman gain of the signal light S1 is small. As the signal light S1 is transmitted through the optical transmission fiber 1002, the incoherent light IL is amplified by the secondary pumping light SPL, the power of the primary pumping light FPL is increased, and the Raman gain for the signal light S1 is increased. Accordingly, when the optical transmission fiber 1002 is viewed as a whole, the transmission loss and the Raman gain are canceled well, and the transmission loss of the optical fiber is zero, or the power fluctuation of the signal light S1 in the longitudinal direction of the optical transmission fiber 1002 is small. It can be regarded as a road, and the nonlinear effect can be further reduced.

In the configuration of the Raman amplification system 100E, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the wavelengths of the secondary excitation light SPLA, SPLB, SPLC, and SPLD are 1350 nm, 1370 nm, 1380 nm, and 1400 nm, respectively, and the power is 250 mW. Experiments of Raman amplification were performed with the wavelengths of the coherent lights ILA and ILB being 1450 nm and 1480 nm, respectively, the 3 dB bandwidth being 30 nm, and the power being 5 mW. The signal light S1 is a WDM signal light composed of four signal lights, and the wavelengths thereof are 1530 nm, 1560 nm, 1590 nm, and 1620 nm. The length of the optical transmission fiber 1002 is 50 km. As a result, a Raman gain of about 10 dB was obtained at each signal light wavelength. The difference between the maximum Raman gain and the minimum Raman gain at the wavelengths of the four signal lights was 1 dB or less.

Further, according to the Raman amplification light source 10E, the Raman amplification system 100E can be used not only as a secondary excitation system but also as a tertiary excitation system or higher order excitation system by setting the wavelength of the secondary excitation light SPL. Can be operated as well. For example, when (a) 1380 nm ± 20 nm is used as the wavelength of the secondary excitation light SPL and (b) 1480 nm ± 20 nm SLD is used as the incoherent light source 11, (b) is Raman-amplified by (a) and the amplification (B) operated as a secondary excitation Raman amplification system that Raman-amplifies the signal light S1 in the wavelength range of around 1590 nm ± 20 nm.

For example, when (a) 1290 nm ± 20 nm and (a ′) 1380 nm ± 20 nm are used as the wavelengths of the secondary excitation light SPL, and (b) 1480 nm ± 20 nm SLD is used as the incoherent light source 11, (a ′) becomes Raman amplification is performed by (a), and the amplified (a ′) and (a ′) Raman-amplify (b). The Raman-amplified (b) is signal light S1 in a wavelength region around 1590 nm ± 20 nm. Operates as a third-order excitation Raman amplification system for Raman amplification. In this case, the Raman amplification light source 10E includes an excitation light source that outputs excitation light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the secondary excitation light SPL output from at least one of the plurality of excitation light sources 12. At this time, by adjusting the powers of (a), (a ′), and (b), the above four problems can be achieved at the same time, and the flattening of the Raman gain, the broadening of the band, and the flattening of the NF can be easily achieved. .

(Embodiment 7)
FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source system according to the seventh embodiment. The Raman amplification system 100F includes a Raman amplification light source system 10F and an optical transmission fiber 1002.

The Raman amplification light source system 10F includes a Raman amplification light source 10E and a Raman amplification light source 10EA. In the Raman amplification light source 10E, the Raman amplification light source 10EA has a configuration in which the WDM coupler 13 is connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so that the signal light S1 is input from the output port 13c and output from the input port 13d. In the optical transmission fiber 1002, each incoherent light IL input from the Raman amplification light source 10EA is gradually Raman amplified by each secondary pumping light SPL, and primary pumping light FPL having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the signal light S1 is obtained. Generated. The primary pumping light FPL propagates in the opposite direction to the signal light S1, and Raman-amplifies the signal light S1. On the other hand, the primary pumping light FPL generated by the Raman amplification light source 10E propagates in the same direction as the signal light S1, and Raman amplifies the signal light S1.

Thus, the WDM couplers 13 of the Raman amplification light sources 10E and 10EA are connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so that the primary pumping light FPL bi-directionally pumps the signal light S1, and the Raman amplification system 100F includes: This is a bidirectional excitation type and secondary excitation type Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source system 10F.

The Raman amplification light source system 10F can solve the above four problems at the same time, and can further reduce the non-linear effect as in the case of the Raman amplification light source 10E. Since it is a type, the degree of freedom in designing the power distribution of the signal light S1 in the longitudinal direction of the optical transmission fiber 1002 can be increased. For example, in addition to the amplification band, desired gain, and gain flatness of the signal light S1 to be amplified, depending on the wavelength, number, band, and power of each excitation light source 12 and incoherent light source 11 in each of the Raman amplification light sources 10E and 10EA The power distribution of the signal light S1 in the longitudinal direction can be adjusted. Further, according to the Raman amplification light source system 10F, the Raman amplification system 100F can be used not only as a secondary excitation system, but also as a tertiary excitation system or a higher-order excitation system similar to the Raman amplification system 100E. It is possible to operate.

(Embodiment 8)
FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source system according to the eighth embodiment. The Raman amplification system 100H includes a Raman amplification light source system 10H and an optical transmission fiber 1002.

The Raman amplification light source system 10H includes a first light source unit 10HA and a second light source unit 10HB. The first light source unit 10HA is connected to the first plurality of incoherent light sources 11A that output the incoherent light IL, the first plurality of incoherent light sources 11A, and the optical transmission fiber 1002, and the incoherent light IL And a WDM coupler 16 that is a first output unit that outputs the signal to the optical transmission fiber 1002. The second light source unit 10HB includes a first plurality of pump light sources 12A that output secondary pump light SPL having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the incoherent light IL, the first plurality of pump light sources 12A, and the optical transmission fiber 1002. And a WDM coupler 17 serving as a second output unit that outputs the secondary pumping light SPL to the optical transmission fiber 1002.

The first plurality of incoherent light sources 11A, like the plurality of incoherent light sources 11, output incoherent light IL having different wavelengths from each other. The first plurality of incoherent light sources 11A includes at least one of an ASE light source including an SLD, an SOA, and a rare earth-doped optical fiber. In the eighth embodiment, all are assumed to be SLDs. The power of the incoherent light IL output from each incoherent light source 11A is, for example, 40 mW.

The first plurality of pumping light sources 12A, like the plurality of pumping light sources 12, output secondary pumping light SPL each having a different wavelength and a wavelength for Raman amplification of the incoherent light IL. The first plurality of pumping light sources 12A include at least one of FP type, FP-FBG type, DFB type, and DBR type semiconductor lasers having different wavelengths from each other. In Embodiment 8, it is assumed that all are FP semiconductor lasers. The power of the secondary pumping light SPL output from each pumping light source 12A is, for example, 500 mW.

The WDM coupler 16 and the WDM coupler 17 are configured so that the incoherent light IL and the secondary pumping light SPL propagate through the optical transmission fiber 1002 in the opposite direction between the WDM coupler 16 and the WDM coupler 17. It is connected to the. Thus, specifically, the incoherent light IL propagates in the same direction as the signal light S1, and the secondary excitation light SPL propagates in the opposite direction to the signal light S1.

In this Raman amplification light source system 10H, in the optical transmission fiber 1002 between the WDM coupler 16 and the WDM coupler 17, the input incoherent light IL is gradually Raman amplified by the secondary pumping light SPL, and the signal light S1 is converted. Primary excitation light FPL having a wavelength for Raman amplification is generated. The primary pumping light FPL propagates in the same direction as the signal light S1, and Raman-amplifies the signal light S1. That is, the Raman amplification system 100H is a forward excitation type and secondary excitation type Raman amplification system.

This Raman amplification light source system 10H can solve the above four problems at the same time. Further, according to the Raman amplification light source system 10H, the transmission loss and the Raman gain are canceled satisfactorily as if the optical transmission fiber 1002 as a whole has the same effect as the Raman amplification light source 10E. Alternatively, it can be regarded as a transmission line in which the power fluctuation of the signal light S1 in the longitudinal direction of the optical transmission fiber 1002 is small, and the nonlinear effect can be further reduced. Further, according to the Raman amplification light source system 10H, the Raman amplification system 100H can be used not only as a secondary excitation system, but also as a tertiary excitation system or a higher-order excitation system, as with the Raman amplification system 100E. It is possible to operate.

(Embodiment 9)
FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source system according to the ninth embodiment. The Raman amplification system 100I is composed of a Raman amplification light source system 10I and an optical transmission fiber 1002.

This Raman amplification light source system 10I also includes a first light source unit 10HA and a second light source unit 10HB, similarly to the Raman amplification light source system 10H. In addition, the WDM coupler 16 and the WDM coupler 17 perform optical transmission so that the incoherent light IL and the secondary pumping light SPL propagate in the opposite direction between the WDM coupler 16 and the WDM coupler 17 through the optical transmission fiber 1002. The point connected to the fiber 1002 is the same as that of the Raman amplification light source system 10H. However, unlike the Raman amplification light source system 10H, in the WDM coupler 16 and the WDM coupler 17, the incoherent light IL propagates in the opposite direction to the signal light S1, and the secondary pumping light SPL is in the same direction as the signal light S1. It is connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so as to propagate.

In this Raman amplification light source system 10I, similarly to the case of the Raman amplification light source system 10H, the input incoherent light IL is secondarily pumped in the optical transmission fiber 1002 between the WDM coupler 16 and the WDM coupler 17. The primary pumping light FPL having a wavelength that is gradually Raman amplified by the light SPL and Raman-amplifies the signal light S1 is generated. However, unlike the case of the Raman amplification light source system 10H, the primary excitation light FPL propagates in the opposite direction to the signal light S1 and Raman-amplifies the signal light S1. That is, the Raman amplification system 100I is a backward excitation type and secondary excitation type Raman amplification system.

This Raman amplification light source system 10I can also solve the above four problems at the same time. Further, according to the Raman amplification light source system 10I, the Raman amplification system 100I can be used not only as a secondary excitation system, but also as a tertiary excitation system or a higher-order excitation system similar to the Raman amplification system 100E. It is possible to operate.

(Embodiment 10)
FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a Raman amplification system using the Raman amplification light source system according to the tenth embodiment. The Raman amplification system 100J includes a Raman amplification light source system 10J and an optical transmission fiber 1002.

The Raman amplification light source system 10J includes a first light source unit 10HAA and a second light source unit 10HBA. The first light source unit 10HAA includes a first plurality of incoherent light sources 11A that output incoherent light IL, a second plurality of pumping light sources 12B that output second secondary pumping light SPL2, and a first Are connected to the plurality of incoherent light sources 11 A, the second plurality of pumping light sources 12 B, and the optical transmission fiber 1002, and outputs the incoherent light IL and the second secondary pumping light SPL 2 to the optical transmission fiber 1002. And a WDM coupler 16A that is an output unit. The second light source unit 10HBA includes a first plurality of excitation light sources 12A that output the secondary excitation light SPL, a second plurality of incoherent light sources 11B that output the second incoherent light IL2, and a first The second pumping light source 12A, the second plurality of incoherent light sources 11B, and the optical transmission fiber 1002 are connected to each other, and the second incoherent light IL2 and the secondary pumping light SPL are output to the optical transmission fiber 1002. A WDM coupler 17A serving as an output unit.

The second plurality of incoherent light sources 11B outputs second incoherent light IL2 having a wavelength that is Raman-amplified by the second secondary pumping light SPL2 output from the second plurality of pumping light sources 12B. The first plurality of pump light sources 12A outputs secondary pump light SPL having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the incoherent light IL output from the first plurality of incoherent light sources 11A.

In the WDM coupler 16A and the WDM coupler 17A, the incoherent light IL and the secondary pumping light SPL propagate through the optical transmission fiber 1002 in the opposite directions between the WDM coupler 16A and the WDM coupler 17A, and The incoherent light IL2 and the second secondary pumping light SPL2 are connected to the optical transmission fiber 1002 so as to propagate in the opposite direction between the WDM coupler 16A and the WDM coupler 17A. Thus, specifically, the incoherent light IL and the second secondary pumping light SPL2 propagate in the same direction as the signal light S1, and the secondary pumping light SPL and the second incoherent light IL2 are transmitted with the signal light S1. Propagate in the opposite direction.

In this Raman amplification light source system 10J, the input incoherent light IL is gradually Raman amplified by the secondary pumping light SPL in the optical transmission fiber 1002 between the WDM coupler 16A and the WDM coupler 17A, and the signal light S1 is obtained. Primary excitation light FPL having a wavelength for Raman amplification is generated. Further, in the Raman amplification light source system 10J, the input second incoherent light IL2 is gradually generated by the second secondary pumping light SPL2 in the optical transmission fiber 1002 between the WDM coupler 16A and the WDM coupler 17A. The second primary pumping light FPL2 that is Raman-amplified and has a wavelength for Raman-amplifying the signal light S1 is generated. The primary pumping light FPL propagates in the same direction as the signal light S1, and the second primary pumping light FPL2 propagates in the opposite direction to the signal light S1, and each Raman-amplifies the signal light S1. That is, the Raman amplification system 100J is a bidirectional excitation type and secondary excitation type Raman amplification system.

This Raman amplification light source system 10J can also solve the above four problems at the same time. Further, according to this Raman amplification light source system 10J, since it is a bidirectional pumping type, the degree of freedom in designing the power distribution of the signal light S1 in the longitudinal direction of the optical transmission fiber 1002 can be increased. For example, the amplification band, desired gain, and gain flatness of the signal light S1 to be amplified according to the wavelength, number, band, and power of each of the excitation light sources 12A and 12B and the incoherent light sources 11A and 11B in each of the light source units 10HAA and 10HBA In addition, the power distribution of the signal light S1 in the longitudinal direction can be adjusted. Further, in the Raman amplification system 100J, the secondary pumping light for Raman-amplifying the incoherent light IL input from the front is not limited to the secondary pumping light SPL introduced from the rear, but the second pumping light input from the front. The incoherent light IL to which the second secondary pumping light SPL2 is input from the front may be Raman amplified. Which secondary excitation light Raman-amplifies which incoherent light depends on the design of the system. Further, according to the Raman amplification light source system 10J, the Raman amplification system 100J can be used not only as a secondary excitation system, but also as a tertiary excitation system or a higher-order excitation system similar to the Raman amplification system 100E. It is possible to operate.

In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of incoherent light sources 11, 11A, or 11B are configured by connecting SOAs 11a in multiple stages as shown in FIG. 14A, and the incoherent light IL or IL2 is output. The coherent light source 11C may be included, and as shown in FIG. 14B, the SLD 11b and the SOA 11a are included, and the incoherent light output from the SLD 11b is optically amplified by the SOA 11a as incoherent light IL or IL2. An incoherent light source 11D configured to output may be included. Thereby, the power of the incoherent light IL or IL2 can be increased.

Further, the present invention is not limited by the above embodiment. What was comprised combining each component mentioned above suitably is also contained in this invention. Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the broader aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

As described above, the Raman amplification light source, the Raman amplification light source system, the Raman amplifier, and the Raman amplification system according to the present invention are useful for optical fiber communication.

10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10E, 10EA Raman amplification light source 10D, 10F, 10H, 10I, 10J Raman amplification light source system 10HA, 10HAA First light source unit 10HB, 10HBA Second light source unit 11, 11A, 11B 11C, 11D Incoherent light source 12, 12A, 12B Excitation light source 13, 13 ', 13a, 13b, 13Aa, 13Ab, 15, 15B, 15C, 16, 16A, 17, 17A WDM coupler 13'a AWG
13c, 13'ac output port 13d input port 13'aa, 13'ab, 13'ad port 14 Raman amplification optical fiber 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, 100F, 100H, 100I, 100J Raman amplification system 1000 Optical transmission system 1001 Transmitter 1002 Optical transmission fiber 1003 Receiver FPL Primary pumping light FPL2 Second primary pumping light IL, ILA, ILB Incoherent light IL2 Second incoherent light RPA, RPB, RPC, RPD Raman Peak S1 Signal light SPL, SPLA Secondary excitation light SPL2 Second secondary excitation light

Claims (23)

1. A Raman amplification light source for Raman amplification of signal light transmitted through an optical transmission fiber by stimulated Raman scattering in the optical transmission fiber,
   A plurality of incoherent light sources that output incoherent light; and
   A plurality of excitation light sources for outputting secondary excitation light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the incoherent light;
   A Raman amplification optical fiber that is connected to the plurality of incoherent light sources and the plurality of pump light sources, and that Raman-amplifies and outputs the input incoherent light with the input secondary pump light;
   Primary pumping light connected to the optical transmission fiber, input with incoherent amplified light Raman-amplified by the Raman-amplifying optical fiber, and having the wavelength for Raman-amplifying the signal light from the incoherent amplified light. An output unit that outputs to the optical transmission fiber as
   A light source for Raman amplification characterized by comprising:
2. The plurality of incoherent light sources and the plurality of pumping light sources are connected to the Raman amplification optical fiber so that the secondary pumping light forwardly pumps the incoherent light. The light source for Raman amplification as described.
3. The plurality of incoherent light sources and the plurality of pumping light sources are connected to the Raman amplification optical fiber so that the secondary pumping light pumps the incoherent light backward. The light source for Raman amplification as described.
4. The Raman amplifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the output unit is connected to the optical transmission fiber so that the primary pumping light forward pumps the signal light. light source.
5. The Raman amplifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the output unit is connected to the optical transmission fiber so that the primary pumping light pumps the signal light backward. light source.
6. A light source for Raman amplification for Raman amplification of signal light transmitted through an optical transmission fiber with the optical transmission fiber,
   A plurality of incoherent light sources that output incoherent light; and
   A plurality of excitation light sources for outputting secondary excitation light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the incoherent light;
   The plurality of incoherent light sources, the plurality of pumping light sources, and the optical transmission fiber are connected to propagate the input incoherent light and the secondary pumping light in the same direction in the optical transmission fiber. An output section to output,
   With
   In the optical transmission fiber, the input incoherent light is Raman-amplified by the input secondary pumping light, and primary pumping light having a wavelength for Raman-amplifying the signal light is generated. Light source for Raman amplification.
7. The Raman amplification light source according to claim 6, further comprising an excitation light source that outputs excitation light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of secondary excitation light output by at least one of the plurality of excitation light sources.
8. The plurality of incoherent light sources include at least one of an ASE (Amplified Spontaneous Emission) light source including an SLD (Super Luminescent Diode), an SOA (Semiconductor Optical Amplifier), and a rare earth-doped optical fiber. 8. The Raman amplification light source according to any one of 1 to 7.
9. The plurality of incoherent light sources includes an SLD and an SOA, and includes an incoherent light source configured to optically amplify and output incoherent light output from the SLD with the SOA. The light source for Raman amplification according to any one of 1 to 8.
10. 10. The Raman amplification light source according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of incoherent light sources include an incoherent light source configured by connecting SOAs in multiple stages.
11. The plurality of pump light sources include at least one of a Fabry-Perot (FP) type, a FP type and a FP-FBG type, a DFB type, and a DBR type semiconductor laser that are a combination of an optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG). The Raman amplification light source according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein:
12. 12. The Raman amplification light source according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of incoherent light sources include incoherent light sources that output incoherent light in different wavelength bands.
13. A light source for Raman amplification according to claim 4 and a light source for Raman amplification according to claim 5, wherein an output section of each of the light sources for Raman amplification includes bidirectional excitation of the signal light by the primary excitation light. Thus, the Raman amplification light source system is connected to the optical transmission fiber.
14. The two Raman amplification light sources according to claim 6 are provided, and an output unit of each Raman amplification light source is connected to the optical transmission fiber so that the primary excitation light bi-directionally excites the signal light. A light source system for Raman amplification.
15. A Raman amplification light source system for Raman amplification of signal light transmitted through an optical transmission fiber with the optical transmission fiber,
    A first plurality of incoherent light sources that output incoherent light; a first plurality of incoherent light sources connected to the first plurality of incoherent light sources and the optical transmission fiber; and a first that outputs the incoherent light to the optical transmission fiber. A first light source unit comprising: an output unit;
    A plurality of first pumping light sources that output secondary pumping light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the incoherent light; the first pumping light sources; and the optical transmission fiber; A second output unit that outputs light to the optical transmission fiber; and a second light source unit comprising:
    The first output unit and the second output unit are configured such that the incoherent light and the secondary excitation light are transmitted between the first output unit and the second output unit. Connected to the optical transmission fiber so as to propagate in the opposite direction of the optical transmission fiber,
    In the optical transmission fiber between the first output unit and the second output unit, the input incoherent light is Raman-amplified by the input secondary pumping light, and the signal light is Raman-amplified. A light source system for Raman amplification characterized in that primary excitation light having a wavelength to be generated is generated.
16. The second light source unit includes a second plurality of incoherent light sources that output second incoherent light having a wavelength that is Raman-amplified by the secondary excitation light,
    The first light source unit includes a second plurality of excitation light sources that output second secondary excitation light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the second incoherent light,
    A second output unit of the second light source unit is connected to the second plurality of incoherent light sources, and outputs the second incoherent light to the optical transmission fiber;
    The first output unit of the first light source unit is connected to the second plurality of pump light sources, and outputs the second secondary pump light to the optical transmission fiber,
    The first output unit and the second output unit are configured such that the second incoherent light and the second secondary excitation light are transmitted between the first output unit and the second output unit. Connected to the optical transmission fiber so as to propagate in the opposite direction of the optical transmission fiber between,
    In the optical transmission fiber between the first output unit and the second output unit, the input second incoherent light is Raman amplified by the input second secondary pumping light, 16. The Raman amplification light source system according to claim 15, wherein second primary excitation light having a wavelength for Raman amplification of the signal light is generated.
17. The plurality of incoherent light sources include at least one of an SLD (Super Luminescent Diode), an SOA (Semiconductor Optical Amplifier), and an ASE (Amplified Spontaneous Emission) light source including a rare earth-doped optical fiber. The light source system for Raman amplification according to any one of 1 to 16.
18. The plurality of incoherent light sources includes an SLD and an SOA, and includes an incoherent light source configured to optically amplify and output incoherent light output from the SLD with the SOA. The light source system for Raman amplification according to any one of 17.
19. The Raman amplification light source system according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the plurality of incoherent light sources include incoherent light sources configured by connecting SOAs in multiple stages.
20. The plurality of excitation light sources include at least one of a Fabry-Perot (FP) type having a wavelength different from each other, an FP-FBG type, a DFB type, and a DBR type semiconductor laser combining an FP type and an optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG). The light source system for Raman amplification according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein
21. The Raman amplification light source system according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the plurality of incoherent light sources include incoherent light sources that output incoherent light in different wavelength bands.
22. A light source for Raman amplification according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or a light source system for Raman amplification according to any one of claims 13 to 21,
    The optical transmission fiber;
    A Raman amplifier comprising:
23. A light source system for Raman amplification according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or a light source system for Raman amplification according to any one of claims 13 to 21,
    The optical transmission fiber;
    A Raman amplification system comprising:

Images