WO2002075379A2 - Optical components - Google Patents

Optical components Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002075379A2
WO2002075379A2 PCT/GB2002/001239 GB0201239W WO02075379A2 WO 2002075379 A2 WO2002075379 A2 WO 2002075379A2 GB 0201239 W GB0201239 W GB 0201239W WO 02075379 A2 WO02075379 A2 WO 02075379A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
coil
heating element
heating
optical
fibre
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2002/001239
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2002075379A3 (en
Inventor
Michael Moody
Keith Read
Original Assignee
Bookham Technology Plc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0106768A external-priority patent/GB2373588A/en
Application filed by Bookham Technology Plc filed Critical Bookham Technology Plc
Priority to AU2002246235A priority Critical patent/AU2002246235A1/en
Publication of WO2002075379A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002075379A2/en
Publication of WO2002075379A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002075379A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
    • H01S3/00—Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range
    • H01S3/05—Construction or shape of optical resonators; Accommodation of active medium therein; Shape of active medium
    • H01S3/06—Construction or shape of active medium
    • H01S3/063—Waveguide lasers, i.e. whereby the dimensions of the waveguide are of the order of the light wavelength
    • H01S3/067—Fibre lasers
    • H01S3/06754—Fibre amplifiers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G02B6/4457—Bobbins; Reels
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
    • H01S3/00—Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range
    • H01S3/02—Constructional details
    • H01S3/04—Arrangements for thermal management
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
    • H01S3/00—Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range
    • H01S3/05—Construction or shape of optical resonators; Accommodation of active medium therein; Shape of active medium
    • H01S3/06—Construction or shape of active medium
    • H01S3/063—Waveguide lasers, i.e. whereby the dimensions of the waveguide are of the order of the light wavelength
    • H01S3/067—Fibre lasers
    • H01S3/06704—Housings; Packages

Definitions

  • the invention relates to optical components, such as optical fibre.
  • optical fibre particularly erbium doped optical fibre for example
  • gain is variable with changes in temperature. It is therefore desirable to be able to heat the fibre and to maintain its temperature within an elevated range.
  • the invention provides an optical component comprising a coil of optical fibre having heating means comprising a heating element located substantially within the coil.
  • heating element within the coil of fibre permits greater heating efficiency to be achieved, because all radiating surfaces of the heating element are in contact with fibre.
  • heating elements were located underneath, or otherwise adjacent to, the coil.
  • the heating element is annular, having inner and/or outer diameters substantially the same as those of the fibre coil.
  • the heating element may comprise a foil heater, comprising a foil heating element.
  • a foil heater comprising a foil heating element.
  • the invention preferably further comprises resiliently deformable material arranged to hold the heating element within the coil.
  • the resiliently deformable material is a foam, more preferably a polymer foam, e.g. a cross-linked polyethylene foam.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an optical amplifier having a coil of optical fibre constructed according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the optical amplifier of Figure 1.
  • an optical fibre amplifier includes a housing construction 1 which is in two parts, only the lower housing part 2 being shown in Figure 1 to enable the interior to be viewed.
  • the housing construction 1 contains all the usual components of an optical amplifier, some of which are not shown in the drawings for clarity.
  • a pair of pump lasers 3, 4 are provided with other components, such as those indicated by the reference numerals 5-9.
  • Several of the components 5-9 are optical components.
  • spare optical fibre is wound into coils 12, 13.
  • six or more different fibres may be wound in the completely assembled amplifier.
  • a heating element 14 ( Figure 2) is provided and located within the structure of the coil 13 of fibre.
  • Only coil 13 is shown with a heating element for the purposes of clarity. However, it is possible for both coils 12 and 13 to be provided with heating arrangements.
  • the heating element 14 is annular and has similar dimensions to that of the coil 13 of fibre. In this arrangement, both the upper and lower surfaces of the element 14 are being used to heat the fibre, thereby improving efficiency. Preferably, the element 14 is sandwiched between two substantially equal portions of the coil, so that the coil receives substantially uniform heating.
  • the heating element 14 is a thin-foil heater, which is electrically controlled.
  • the heater is activated by control circuitry (not shown)
  • the optical fibre coil 13 is heated to the desired predetermined elevated temperature, which is typically 60-70 °C for example.
  • the control circuitry will switch off the heating element 14.
  • the element 14 will remain off until the temperature falls below a predetermined value, at which point the control circuitry will activate the element once more.
  • the circuitry could be programmed to operate according to a predetermined duty cycle.
  • thermally conducting structures in order to conduct heat to the coils of optical fibre.
  • Such conducting structures have needed to be thermally insulated from the rest of the amplifier or the surrounding environment.
  • the invention removes the need for thermally conducting structures, as the optical fibres are in direct communication with the heating element.
  • insulating material 15 may be arranged to be in intimate contact with the fibre coil 13.
  • the insulating material 15 is made of resilient foam, arranged to make an interference fit with the coil 13.
  • the resilient material 15 also holds the coil and heater arrangement together and prevents relative movement.
  • the insulating material may be manufactured as an insert in two portions, 15 and 15". One portion 15" is put into place before certain of the components or circuitry are installed in the casing, such as circuit board 10. Then the other portion 15" is introduced. A portion of coil 13 is then located in the insert, followed by the heating element 14 and then, finally, the remainder of the coil 13. Greater efficiency is achievable with the invention.
  • the power consumption on start-up of the heater may be approximately 2W, and is less when in a steady-state condition.
  • conventional arrangements typically use 16W of power on start-up and 6-8 W in the steady state.

Abstract

An optical component comprises a coil (13) of optical fibre having heating means comprising a heating element (14) located substantially within the coil. The heating element is annular and has similar dimensions to the coil. All radiating surfaces of the element are employed to heat the fibre to an elevated temperature. Control circuitry is provided to ensure that the fibre remains at an optimum temperature. This arrangement is especially suitable for incorporation in an optical amplifier (1).

Description

OPTICAL COMPONENTS
The invention relates to optical components, such as optical fibre.
A well-known characteristic of optical fibre, particularly erbium doped optical fibre for example, is that the gain is variable with changes in temperature. It is therefore desirable to be able to heat the fibre and to maintain its temperature within an elevated range.
The invention provides an optical component comprising a coil of optical fibre having heating means comprising a heating element located substantially within the coil.
The location of a heating element within the coil of fibre permits greater heating efficiency to be achieved, because all radiating surfaces of the heating element are in contact with fibre. Previously, heating elements were located underneath, or otherwise adjacent to, the coil.
Preferably, the heating element is annular, having inner and/or outer diameters substantially the same as those of the fibre coil.
Advantageously, the heating element may comprise a foil heater, comprising a foil heating element. Such a heater permits space savings to be made.
I previous arrangements, where the heater was arranged adjacent to the coil of fibre, heat-conducting structures were needed to conduct heat to the fibre coil. This arrangement was then encapsulated by insulating material to increase efficiency. However, the invention generally does away with the need for heat-conducting structures owing to the improved transfer of heat directly to the fibre coil. The inventors have also realised that the coil and heater arrangement can be held in place by means of the insulating material itself, for example
Therefore, the invention preferably further comprises resiliently deformable material arranged to hold the heating element within the coil.
Preferably, the resiliently deformable material is a foam, more preferably a polymer foam, e.g. a cross-linked polyethylene foam.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to, the accompanying drawings, in which: -
Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an optical amplifier having a coil of optical fibre constructed according to the invention; and
Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the optical amplifier of Figure 1.
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, an optical fibre amplifier includes a housing construction 1 which is in two parts, only the lower housing part 2 being shown in Figure 1 to enable the interior to be viewed. The housing construction 1 contains all the usual components of an optical amplifier, some of which are not shown in the drawings for clarity. A pair of pump lasers 3, 4 are provided with other components, such as those indicated by the reference numerals 5-9. Several of the components 5-9 are optical components. Thus, there are a large number of optical fibres, some of considerable length, which must be neatly stored in the amplifier housing without any sharp bends which would damage the fibre and reduce the efficiency of light transmission. To achieve this, spare optical fibre is wound into coils 12, 13. Typically, six or more different fibres may be wound in the completely assembled amplifier.
The optical fibre needs to operate in a predetermined elevated temperature range, to improve the efficiency of the amplifier. Therefore, in accordance with the invention, a heating element 14 (Figure 2) is provided and located within the structure of the coil 13 of fibre. In the drawings, only coil 13 is shown with a heating element for the purposes of clarity. However, it is possible for both coils 12 and 13 to be provided with heating arrangements.
The heating element 14 is annular and has similar dimensions to that of the coil 13 of fibre. In this arrangement, both the upper and lower surfaces of the element 14 are being used to heat the fibre, thereby improving efficiency. Preferably, the element 14 is sandwiched between two substantially equal portions of the coil, so that the coil receives substantially uniform heating.
The heating element 14 is a thin-foil heater, which is electrically controlled. When the heater is activated by control circuitry (not shown), the optical fibre coil 13 is heated to the desired predetermined elevated temperature, which is typically 60-70 °C for example. Once the desired temperature is reached, the control circuitry will switch off the heating element 14. The element 14 will remain off until the temperature falls below a predetermined value, at which point the control circuitry will activate the element once more. The circuitry could be programmed to operate according to a predetermined duty cycle.
Conventional heating arrangements have involved the use of thermally conducting structures in order to conduct heat to the coils of optical fibre. Such conducting structures have needed to be thermally insulated from the rest of the amplifier or the surrounding environment. The invention removes the need for thermally conducting structures, as the optical fibres are in direct communication with the heating element. Thus, insulating material 15 may be arranged to be in intimate contact with the fibre coil 13. The insulating material 15 is made of resilient foam, arranged to make an interference fit with the coil 13. Thus, the insulating material 15 is urged against the coil 13 and locates the coil in position within the optical amplifier. The resilient material 15 also holds the coil and heater arrangement together and prevents relative movement.
The insulating material may be manufactured as an insert in two portions, 15 and 15". One portion 15" is put into place before certain of the components or circuitry are installed in the casing, such as circuit board 10. Then the other portion 15" is introduced. A portion of coil 13 is then located in the insert, followed by the heating element 14 and then, finally, the remainder of the coil 13. Greater efficiency is achievable with the invention. For example, the power consumption on start-up of the heater may be approximately 2W, and is less when in a steady-state condition. By comparison, conventional arrangements typically use 16W of power on start-up and 6-8 W in the steady state.

Claims

1. An optical component comprising a coil of optical fibre having heating means comprising a heating element located substantially within the coil.
2. A component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating element is annular.
3. A component as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one dimension of the heating element is substantially the same as a dimension of the coil.
4. A component as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the heating element comprises a foil heater.
5. A component as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising resiliently deformable material arranged to locate the heating element and the coil in a predetermined position.
6. A component as claimed in claim 5, wherein the material comprises insulating material.
7. A component as claimed in claim 6, wherein the material is a polymer foam.
8. A component as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the heating arrangement further comprises control circuitry.
9. A heating arrangement for a coil of optical fibre, comprising a heating element located within the coil.
10. A heating arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heating element is annular.
11. A heating arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one dimension of the heating element is substantially the same as a dimension of the coil.
12. A heating arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the heating element comprises a foil heater.
13. A heating arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, further comprising control circuitry for the heating element.
14. An optical amplifier including an optical component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.
15. An optical amplifier including a heating arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13.
PCT/GB2002/001239 2001-03-19 2002-03-18 Optical components WO2002075379A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002246235A AU2002246235A1 (en) 2001-03-19 2002-03-18 Optical components

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0106768.5 2001-03-19
GB0106768A GB2373588A (en) 2001-03-19 2001-03-19 Active optical device
GB0111447A GB2373589A (en) 2001-03-19 2001-05-10 Optical Component
GB0111447.9 2001-05-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002075379A2 true WO2002075379A2 (en) 2002-09-26
WO2002075379A3 WO2002075379A3 (en) 2003-02-27

Family

ID=26245849

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2002/001239 WO2002075379A2 (en) 2001-03-19 2002-03-18 Optical components

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2002075379A2 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005078875A1 (en) * 2004-02-10 2005-08-25 Bookham Technology Plc Optical amplifiers
US20160124164A1 (en) * 2014-10-29 2016-05-05 Acacia Communications, Inc. Optoelectronic ball grid array package with fiber

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000001101A2 (en) * 1998-06-30 2000-01-06 Corning Incorporated Thermal tuning of optical amplifiers in wdm systems
US6104526A (en) * 1999-06-18 2000-08-15 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Optical amplifier and a method of controlling the optical amplifier

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0411794A (en) * 1990-04-28 1992-01-16 Furukawa Electric Co Ltd:The Fiber type optical amplifier

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000001101A2 (en) * 1998-06-30 2000-01-06 Corning Incorporated Thermal tuning of optical amplifiers in wdm systems
US6104526A (en) * 1999-06-18 2000-08-15 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Optical amplifier and a method of controlling the optical amplifier

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 016, no. 162 (E-1192), 20 April 1992 (1992-04-20) & JP 04 011794 A (FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO LTD:THE), 16 January 1992 (1992-01-16) *

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005078875A1 (en) * 2004-02-10 2005-08-25 Bookham Technology Plc Optical amplifiers
GB2424119A (en) * 2004-02-10 2006-09-13 Bookham Technology Plc Optical amplifiers
GB2424119B (en) * 2004-02-10 2007-09-12 Bookham Technology Plc Optical amplifiers
US7308182B2 (en) 2004-02-10 2007-12-11 Bookham Technology Plc Optical amplifiers
CN100411260C (en) * 2004-02-10 2008-08-13 波科海姆技术公共有限公司 Optical amplifiers
US20160124164A1 (en) * 2014-10-29 2016-05-05 Acacia Communications, Inc. Optoelectronic ball grid array package with fiber
US11360278B2 (en) * 2014-10-29 2022-06-14 Acacia Communications, Inc. Optoelectronic ball grid array package with fiber
US11892690B1 (en) 2014-10-29 2024-02-06 Acacia Communications, Inc. Optoelectronic ball grid array package with fiber

Also Published As

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