JPH0331826A - Light amplification type switching component - Google Patents
Light amplification type switching componentInfo
- Publication number
- JPH0331826A JPH0331826A JP1165379A JP16537989A JPH0331826A JP H0331826 A JPH0331826 A JP H0331826A JP 1165379 A JP1165379 A JP 1165379A JP 16537989 A JP16537989 A JP 16537989A JP H0331826 A JPH0331826 A JP H0331826A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- light
- optical
- optical fiber
- refractive index
- type switching
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 230000003321 amplification Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 40
- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 40
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 60
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 52
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 238000005253 cladding Methods 0.000 claims description 39
- 230000004927 fusion Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000001902 propagating effect Effects 0.000 description 36
- 230000005284 excitation Effects 0.000 description 29
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 14
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 7
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 7
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000010287 polarization Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229910052691 Erbium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 229910052779 Neodymium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052777 Praseodymium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- -1 erbium ions Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000007526 fusion splicing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 2
- QEFYFXOXNSNQGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N neodymium atom Chemical compound [Nd] QEFYFXOXNSNQGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052761 rare earth metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910004613 CdTe Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052769 Ytterbium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 241000190020 Zelkova serrata Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- UYAHIZSMUZPPFV-UHFFFAOYSA-N erbium Chemical compound [Er] UYAHIZSMUZPPFV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000000855 fermentation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004151 fermentation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011368 organic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- PUDIUYLPXJFUGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N praseodymium atom Chemical compound [Pr] PUDIUYLPXJFUGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000644 propagated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052723 transition metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/29—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the position or the direction of light beams, i.e. deflection
- G02F1/31—Digital deflection, i.e. optical switching
- G02F1/313—Digital deflection, i.e. optical switching in an optical waveguide structure
- G02F1/3131—Digital deflection, i.e. optical switching in an optical waveguide structure in optical fibres
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Nonlinear Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Optical Fibers, Optical Fiber Cores, And Optical Fiber Bundles (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
〈産業上の利用分針〉
本発明は、光ファイバを用いた光伝送方式において伝搬
光の増幅すると共に光路の切替を行うための光増幅形切
替部品に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Minute Hand> The present invention relates to an optical amplification type switching component for amplifying propagating light and switching the optical path in an optical transmission system using an optical fiber.
〈従来の技術及び発明が解決しようとする課題〉従来、
伝搬光の増幅と切替とを同時に行うことができる部品は
なかった。<Problems to be solved by conventional technology and invention> Conventionally,
There was no component that could simultaneously amplify and switch propagating light.
光増幅技術としては、エルビウムイオン（Ｅｒ”）やネ
ジラムイオン（Ｎｂ”）における電子の反転分布（高い
エネルギー準位の電子数が低い準位に比べ多い分布状態
）を利用した誘電放出により、伝搬光を増幅する技術が
知られている。この技術では、反転分布を発生させろた
めの励起光と伝搬光とが共に、上述したようなイオンを
含有する領域と作用する必要がある。この状態を実現す
るため、従来の光増幅部品としては、エルビウム（Ｅｒ
）、ネオジウム（Ｎｄ）、プラセオジウム（Ｐｒ）、イ
ッテリピウム（ｙｂ）等の希土類元素や、チタン（Ｔｉ
）等の遷移元素からなる、いわゆる光増幅元素のＩＮ以
上を光ファイバのコア部に含有させたもの（以下、コア
ドープ光ファイバという）が用いられている。これによ
り、励起光と伝搬光との界分布がコア部を中心に同時に
存在することが可能である。Optical amplification technology uses dielectric emission that utilizes electron population inversion (distribution state in which the number of electrons at high energy levels is larger than at low levels) in erbium ions (Er") and diram ions (Nb"). Techniques for amplifying propagating light are known. In this technique, both the excitation light and the propagating light for generating population inversion must interact with the region containing the ions as described above. To achieve this state, conventional optical amplification components are made of erbium (Er).
), rare earth elements such as neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), and ytterpium (yb), and titanium (Ti
) and the like (hereinafter referred to as core-doped optical fiber) is used, in which the core portion of the optical fiber contains a so-called optical amplification element of IN or more. This allows field distributions of excitation light and propagation light to exist simultaneously around the core portion.
しかし、この場合、励起光は上述した光増幅元素の各イ
オンによって吸収されるため、かかるコアドープ光ファ
イバに励起光を入射するためには、上記光増幅元素をコ
ア部に含まない合波部を用いる必要があり、例えば第６
図や第７図に示すような構成を採る必要がある。However, in this case, the excitation light is absorbed by each ion of the optical amplification element described above, so in order to input the excitation light into such a core-doped optical fiber, a combining section that does not include the optical amplification element in the core part must be used. For example, the sixth
It is necessary to adopt a configuration as shown in the figure and FIG.
両図において、１はコアドープ光ファイバ、２ａ、２ｂ
は通常の通信に使用する光ファイバ（以下、通常光ファ
イバという）であり、通常光ファイバ２ａからの伝搬光
をコアドープ光ファイバ１で増幅した後、通常光ファイ
バ２ｂに伝搬する構成となっている。そして、この場合
、コアドープ光ファイバ１には伝搬光と共に励起光を入
射する必要があるが、第６図の例ではミラー３、ハーフ
ミラ−４及びダイクロイックミラー５を用いて励起用光
源６からの励起光を伝搬光と共にコアドープ光ファイバ
１に入射するようになっている。また、第７図に示す例
では、２つの励起光源６からの励起光を合わせる合波カ
プラ７及びこの合波カプラ７からの励起光と伝搬光とを
合わせろ波長多重カプラ８を用いている。なお、合波カ
プラ７及び波長多重カプラ８は、通常ファイバを溶融延
伸して作製されたものである。また、図中、ｔと０とは
励起光の偏波方向を示し、両者の偏波面が直交している
ことを示している。すなわち、両方の例においては、直
交している２方向側波の励起光を合せてコアドープ光フ
ァイバ１に入射してコア内に反転分布を作り、伝搬光を
増幅している。In both figures, 1 is a core-doped optical fiber, 2a, 2b
is an optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as a normal optical fiber) used for normal communication, and is configured such that the light propagating from the normal optical fiber 2a is amplified by the core-doped optical fiber 1 and then propagated to the normal optical fiber 2b. . In this case, it is necessary to input the pumping light together with the propagating light into the core-doped optical fiber 1, but in the example shown in FIG. The light is made to enter the core-doped optical fiber 1 together with the propagating light. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, a multiplexing coupler 7 that combines excitation light from two excitation light sources 6 and a wavelength multiplexing coupler 8 that combines excitation light from this multiplexing coupler 7 and propagation light are used. Note that the multiplexing coupler 7 and the wavelength multiplexing coupler 8 are usually produced by melting and drawing fibers. Furthermore, in the figure, t and 0 indicate the polarization directions of the excitation light, indicating that their polarization planes are orthogonal. That is, in both examples, the excitation lights of the side waves in two orthogonal directions are combined and input into the core-doped optical fiber 1 to create population inversion within the core and amplify the propagating light.
このように、従来、コアドープ光ファイバを用いて光増
幅を行う場合には、該コアドープ光ファイバと共に通常
光ファイバやその他の特別な光部品を必要とし、また、
両者の位置決め等の作業が煩雑であるという問題がある
。Conventionally, when performing optical amplification using a core-doped optical fiber, a normal optical fiber and other special optical components are required in addition to the core-doped optical fiber.
There is a problem in that work such as positioning the two is complicated.
一方、従来より、光ファイバを用いた光伝送方式におい
て伝搬光を切替える光切替部品としては種々の構造のも
のが知られている。On the other hand, various structures have been known as optical switching components for switching propagating light in optical transmission systems using optical fibers.
例えば第１の方式として、第８図に示すように光ファイ
バ１０１自体の位置を変化させｔこり、第９図に示すよ
うに光ファイバ間に挿入されたプリズム１０２の位置を
変化させたりして、導波路自体を移動させることにより
伝搬光の光路を切替える方式がある。For example, as a first method, the position of the optical fiber 101 itself is changed as shown in FIG. 8, and the position of the prism 102 inserted between the optical fibers is changed as shown in FIG. There is a method in which the optical path of propagating light is switched by moving the waveguide itself.
また、第２の方式として光ファイバ間に挿入した導波路
の屈折率を制御することにより伝搬光の光路を切替える
方式があり、乙の中には例えば第１０図に示すように屈
折率変化部１０３Ａの屈折率を電圧により変化させて全
反射の角度を制御する方法や、第１１図に示すように同
様に屈折率変化部１０３Ｂの屈折率を電圧により変化さ
せて結合係数を制御する方法がある。In addition, as a second method, there is a method in which the optical path of propagating light is switched by controlling the refractive index of a waveguide inserted between optical fibers. There is a method in which the angle of total reflection is controlled by changing the refractive index of the refractive index portion 103A with a voltage, and a method in which the refractive index of the refractive index changing portion 103B is similarly changed with a voltage as shown in FIG. 11 to control the coupling coefficient. be.
さらに、第３の方式として、光ファイバ間に押入しｆ：
Ａ ／ Ｏ素子（音響光学素子）の屈折率変化を用い
る方式がある。すなわち、第１２図に示すようにＡ１０
素子１０４に印加ずろ電圧等を変化させることにより弾
性波１０４Ａを変化させ、光路を切替える方法である。Furthermore, as a third method, the insertion between the optical fibers f:
There is a method that uses changes in the refractive index of an A/O element (acousto-optic element). That is, as shown in FIG.
This is a method of changing the elastic wave 104A by changing the offset voltage applied to the element 104 and switching the optical path.
しかし、上述した第１の方式では、損失は例えば０．５
〜１ ｄＢと小さいものの切替時にごみ等の影響を受は
易く、また、切替の度に高精度な位置決め技術が必要で
あるという欠点がある。However, in the first method described above, the loss is, for example, 0.5
Although it is as small as ~1 dB, it is easily affected by dust and the like when switching, and it also has the disadvantage that it requires highly accurate positioning technology each time it switches.
一方、第２あるいは第３の方式では、切替時においてご
み等の影響もなく、高９２な位置決め技術も必要ないが
、光ファイバ間に挿入される各部品の損失と共に光ファ
イバと各部品との間の接続損失が存在するので、例えば
２〜５ ｄＢと損失が大きいという欠点がある。On the other hand, in the second or third method, there is no influence of dust or the like during switching, and there is no need for sophisticated positioning technology, but there is a loss in each component inserted between the optical fibers and a loss between the optical fiber and each component. Since there is a connection loss between the two, the disadvantage is that the loss is large, for example, 2 to 5 dB.
本発明はこのような事情に鑑み、単純な構造で他に特別
な光部品を使用することなく容易に光増幅を行うことが
でき、しかも低損失で位置決め技術が特別に必要とする
ことなく光切替を行うことができろ光増＠形切替部品を
提供することを目的とする。In view of these circumstances, the present invention has a simple structure, allows easy optical amplification without using any other special optical components, and has low loss and does not require any special positioning technology. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a Komasu@-type switching part that can perform switching.
く課題を解法するための手段〉
前記目的を達成する本発明に係る光増幅形切替部品は、
２本以上の光ファイバがその側面で相互に接続している
と共に当該接続部の５１′ｌ径が上記光ファイバ外径よ
り小さい光フチ１′バ部品であって、Ｅ配光ファイバの
クラッド部の少なくとも１部に、光増幅元素を少な２ど
も１種含むと共に、光強度により屈折率が変化する光非
線形物質を含むことを特徴とずろ。Means for Solving the Problem> The optical amplification type switching component according to the present invention that achieves the above object has the following features:
An optical fiber component in which two or more optical fibers are connected to each other on their side surfaces, and the 51'l diameter of the connecting part is smaller than the outer diameter of the optical fiber, and the cladding part of the E distribution fiber. At least a portion thereof contains at least one kind of light amplifying element and also contains an optically nonlinear material whose refractive index changes depending on the light intensity.
く作
用〉
ｆｉｉｌ記構成記構剤幅１と切替部品においては、伝搬
光はその接続部の一方側から他方側へ伝搬する際にクラ
ッド部全体に漏れ出した状態で伝搬され、この伝搬光が
当該接続部を通過後に何れの光ファイバに出射するかは
、接続部における光非線形物質が含まれろ部品とこの部
分を取り囲む部分との屈折率差により決定さＪする。し
たがって、例えば別途導入した光の強度を変化させて光
非線形物質が含まれる部分の屈折率を変化させることに
より、上記伝搬光が出射する光ファイバを切替えろこと
ができろ。In the composition width 1 and the switching part, the propagating light leaks out to the entire cladding part when propagating from one side of the connecting part to the other side, and this propagating light The optical fiber to which the light is emitted after passing through the connection is determined by the difference in refractive index between the component containing the optically nonlinear material at the connection and the portion surrounding this portion. Therefore, for example, by changing the intensity of separately introduced light and changing the refractive index of the portion containing the optically nonlinear material, it is possible to switch the optical fiber from which the propagating light is emitted.
一方、伝搬光の入射口及び出射口以外のところから励起
光を導入すると、該励起光は接続部においてクラッド部
に漏れ出して該クラ−ノド部に含まれろ光増幅元素に吸
収され、当該接続部に反転分布が発生する。したがって
、上記伝搬光は接続部の通過の際に増幅されろ。On the other hand, when pumping light is introduced from a location other than the entrance and exit of the propagating light, the pumping light leaks into the cladding section at the connection, is absorbed by the light amplifying element contained in the cladding section, and is absorbed by the light amplifying element contained in the cladding section. Population inversion occurs in the area. Therefore, the propagating light will be amplified as it passes through the connection.
く実 施 例〉 以下、本発明を実施例に基づいて説明する。Example of implementation Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on examples.
第１図〜第４図Ｉとは本実施例の光増幅形切酵部品１０
の構成を示す１．第１図に示すように、光切増幅量１０
は２木の光ファイバ】１で構成されろものであり、光フ
ァイバ１１１ｔＴＩ−ＩＩ断面を示す第２図に示すよう
に、コア部１２と導波クラッド部１３と機能クラッド部
１４とからなる。ずなわら、この先ファ・イバ１１は通
常の光ファイバのクラッド部のうち、伝搬光がコア部か
らしみ出す部分以外のケラシト部に、光増幅元素及び光
非線形物質を含有させて８１能クラッド部とした４ので
あり、この機能クラッド部１４には通常は伝搬光が漏れ
出ろことばない。1 to 4 I are the optical amplification type fermentation part 10 of this embodiment.
1. Showing the configuration of As shown in Fig. 1, the optical amplification amount is 10
The optical fiber is composed of two optical fibers 1, and as shown in FIG. Of course, the fiber 11 is made by incorporating an optical amplifying element and an optical nonlinear material into the keratinous part of the cladding part of a normal optical fiber, except for the part where the propagating light seeps out from the core part. 4, and propagating light normally does not leak into this functional cladding portion 14.
光増幅形切替部品】０は、第３図に示すように、２本の
光ファイバ１１の側面同志を溶融時の表面張力により接
続し、その中央部の径を細くして領域りで示す接続部１
５を形成したものであり、この接続部１５では■−■断
面を示す第４図に示すように、コア部１２及び導波クラ
ッド部１３が小さくなると共に２本の光ファイバ１１の
機能クラッド部１４が一体的になっている。Optical amplification type switching component] 0 is a connection shown in Fig. 3, in which the sides of two optical fibers 11 are connected by surface tension when melted, and the diameter of the central part is made thinner, as shown by the area. Part 1
In this connection part 15, as shown in FIG. 14 are integrated.
このような構造の光増幅形切替部品１０において、Ａか
ら入射した伝搬光は領域りに近づくにしたがいコア部１
２及び導波クラッド部１３から機能クラッド部１４に漏
れ出て、接続部１５内では機能クラッド部１４全体を伝
搬することになり、この部分でのコア部１２及び導波ク
ラッド部１３は充分小さいのでほとんど伝搬には寄与し
ない。したがって、このときの導波ば、接続部１５の機
能クラッド部１４とこれを取り囲む外部との屈折率差に
より達成され、伝搬のモードは最低次の偶数モードと奇
数モードとに分離していると考えられろ。すなわち、領
域りの接続［１５を通過した後にＢあるいはＣの何れに
出射するがは、接続部１５で偶数モードと奇数モードと
に分配された光の領域り出射時の干渉により決定される
。In the optical amplification type switching component 10 having such a structure, the propagating light incident from A is transmitted to the core portion 1 as it approaches the area.
2 and the waveguide cladding part 13 to the functional cladding part 14, and propagates through the entire functional cladding part 14 within the connection part 15, and the core part 12 and the waveguide cladding part 13 in this part are sufficiently small. Therefore, it hardly contributes to propagation. Therefore, the waveguiding at this time is achieved by the refractive index difference between the functional cladding part 14 of the connection part 15 and the outside surrounding it, and the propagation mode is separated into the lowest even mode and odd mode. Be able to think. That is, whether the light is emitted to B or C after passing through the area connection 15 is determined by the interference of the light distributed into the even mode and the odd mode at the connection part 15 when the light is emitted from the area.
一般にＢ及びＣに出射する伝搬光のパワーＰ、、Ｐｏは
近似的に下式で表されろ（Ｆ、 Ｐ ＰａｙｎｅＣ，Ｄ
、Ｈｕｓｓｅｙ ａｎｄ Ｍ、Ｓ、Ｙａｔａｋｉ、 ’
Ｍｏｄｅｌｌｉｎｇ Ｆｕｓｅｄ ＳｉｎｇｌｅＭｏｄ
ｅ−Ｆｉｂｒｅ Ｃｏｕｐｌｅｒｊ” 、Ｅｌｅｅ
ｔｒｏｎ、Ｌｅｔ（、，１９８５，２１，ｐｐ、４８１
４６２参照）。In general, the powers P,, Po of the propagating light emitted to B and C can be approximately expressed by the following formula (F, P Payne C, D
, Hussey and M.S., Yataki, '
Modeling Fused SingleMod
e-Fibre Couplerj”, Elee
tron, Let (, 1985, 21, pp. 481
462).
Ｐ、＝ＰＡｍ２（ｃ Ｌ） ・（１
）ｐｃ＝ｐＡｃＶ２（ｃ Ｌ） ・
−（２１但し、ＰＡはＡに入射した伝搬光のパワーＬは
領域りの長さであり、Ｃは下式で表される。P, =PAm2(c L) ・(1
) pc=pAcV2(c L) ・
-(21 However, PA is the power L of the propagating light incident on A is the length of the area, and C is expressed by the following formula.
ｃ＝３πλ／ （３２Ｎ２ａ２（１＋１／Ｖ）’）
・・（３１Ｖ＝ ａ ｋ （Ｎ２’−Ｎ３’） ”
・（４１ここで、λは波長、ｋは伝崖定数
、
Ｎ２は領域りにおける機能クラッド部
１４の屈折率、Ｎ３は領域りにおける
機能クラッド部１４を取り囲む部分
の屈折率である。c=3πλ/ (32N2a2(1+1/V)')
...(31V=ak (N2'-N3')"
(41 Here, λ is the wavelength, k is the propagation constant, N2 is the refractive index of the functional cladding part 14 in the area, and N3 is the refractive index of the part surrounding the functional cladding part 14 in the area.
以上の式よ快、ＰＡとＰ、は領域り内部の機能クラッド
部１４の屈折率Ｎ、に依存することがわかる。これは、
屈折率Ｎ２の変化に伴い、偶数モードと奇数モードとの
干渉状態が周期的に変化するためである。したがって、
屈折率Ｎ２を変化させることにより伝搬光の光路をＢと
Ｃとの間で切替えることが可能となる。From the above equation, it can be seen that PA and P depend on the refractive index N of the functional cladding part 14 inside the area. this is,
This is because the interference state between the even mode and the odd mode changes periodically as the refractive index N2 changes. therefore,
By changing the refractive index N2, it is possible to switch the optical path of the propagating light between B and C.
そして、本実施例ではＤから入射させたポンプ光の光強
度を変化させろことにより、機能クラッド部１４に含ま
れる光非線形物質の光非線形現象を利用して屈折率Ｎ２
を変化させている。In this embodiment, by changing the light intensity of the pump light incident from D, the refractive index N2
is changing.
すなわち、Ｄから入射されたポンプ光は、領域りに至る
までは光ファイバのコア部１２及び導波クラッド部１３
を伝搬するが領域りに近づくにしたがい機能クラッド部
１４に漏れ出して領域りの接続部１５内部では機能クラ
ッド部１４全体を伝搬することになり、このときポンプ
光は機能クラッド部１４に含まれる光非線形物質に吸収
される。ここで、領域りの機能クラッド部１４の屈折率
Ｎ２ば、ポンプ光のパワーを■とすると、下式で表され
る。That is, the pump light incident from D passes through the core portion 12 and waveguide cladding portion 13 of the optical fiber until it reaches the region.
However, as it approaches the area, it leaks into the functional cladding part 14 and propagates through the entire functional cladding part 14 inside the connecting part 15 of the area, and at this time, the pump light is contained in the functional cladding part 14. Absorbed by optical nonlinear materials. Here, if the refractive index N2 of the functional cladding portion 14 in the region is expressed as ■ and the power of the pump light is expressed by the following formula.
Ｎ２＝Ｎ、。＋γＩ２ ・・・（５）ここ
でＮ２Ｃはポンプ光のパワーＩに依存しない屈折率、γ
は非線形屈折率係数である。N2=N,. +γI2...(5) Here, N2C is the refractive index that does not depend on the power I of the pump light, γ
is the nonlinear refractive index coefficient.
このように、機能クラッド部１４の屈折率Ｎ２はポンプ
光のパワーＩにより変化し、上述した伝搬光切替に必要
な屈折率変化を与えることが可能である。In this way, the refractive index N2 of the functional cladding portion 14 changes depending on the power I of the pump light, and it is possible to provide the refractive index change necessary for the above-mentioned propagation light switching.
ここで、ポンプ光は領域りにおける機能クラッド部１４
中の光非線形物質のみに作用して他の領域では光非線形
物質に吸収されずに透過するのが望ましい。つまり、他
の領域における光非線形物質による吸収でそのパワー■
が低下するのをさけるためである。本実施例では、ポン
プ光は、領域り以外では光ファイバ１１のコア部１２及
び導波クラッド部１３を伝搬して機能クラッド部１４に
作用することがないので光非線形物質に吸収されず、領
域りでのみ機能クラッド部１４に作用してその屈折率Ｎ
、を変化させている。Here, the pump light is applied to the functional cladding part 14 in the area.
It is desirable that the light act only on the optically nonlinear material inside and pass through other regions without being absorbed by the optically nonlinear material. In other words, the power due to absorption by optical nonlinear materials in other regions is
This is to avoid a decrease in In this embodiment, the pump light does not propagate through the core section 12 and the waveguide cladding section 13 of the optical fiber 11 and act on the functional cladding section 14 except in the region, so it is not absorbed by the optical nonlinear material and is not absorbed in the region. The refractive index N of the functional cladding part 14 is
, is changing.
一方、ポンプ光とｗＲ欅にＤから励起光を入射すると、
この励起光は上述したように、領域りに至るまでは光フ
ァイバのコア部１２及び導波クラッド部１３を伝搬する
が領域りに近づくにしたがい機能クラッド部１４に漏れ
出して領域りの接続部１５内部では機能クラッド部１４
全体を伝搬することになり、このとき励起光は機能クラ
ッド部１４に含まれる光増幅元素イオンに吸収され、反
転分布が発生する。On the other hand, when the excitation light is input from D to the pump light and wR keyaki,
As described above, this excitation light propagates through the core section 12 and waveguide cladding section 13 of the optical fiber until it reaches the region, but as it approaches the region, it leaks into the functional cladding section 14 and leaks into the connection section between the regions. 15 Inside the functional cladding part 14
At this time, the excitation light is absorbed by the light amplifying element ions included in the functional cladding part 14, and population inversion occurs.
よって、このように励起光が吸収された領域に、上述し
たように伝搬光が通過することになり、伝搬光は領域り
で増幅される。Therefore, as described above, the propagating light passes through the region where the excitation light is absorbed, and the propagating light is amplified in each region.
なお、かかる増幅には特に偏波依存性はないので、励起
光として偏波を用いても通常光を用いてもよく、また、
従来の項で示したように偏波面が互いに直交する偏波を
用いてもよく、さらに、偏波面が直交しない２つの偏波
を用いてもよい。Note that such amplification has no particular polarization dependence, so either polarized light or normal light may be used as the excitation light, and
As shown in the conventional section, polarized waves whose planes of polarization are orthogonal to each other may be used, or two polarized waves whose planes of polarization are not orthogonal may be used.
ここで、光増幅元素としては、従来の項で示したように
Ｅｒ、Ｎｄ、Ｐｒ、Ｙｂ等の希土顕元素やＴｉ等の遷移
金属元素を例示することができる。Here, examples of the light amplifying element include rare earth elements such as Er, Nd, Pr, and Yb, and transition metal elements such as Ti, as shown in the conventional section.
また、非線形物質としては、例えばＣｄ５０．、Ｓｅ、
。２゜ＣｄＴｅ 、 ［ｎＳｂなどの半導体からなる
光非線形物質をドープしたガラスとするのが好ましい。In addition, examples of nonlinear materials include Cd50. ,Se,
. It is preferable to use glass doped with an optically nonlinear substance made of a semiconductor such as 2°CdTe or [nSb.
勿論、通常用いられている有機材料や液晶なども光非線
形物質として用いることができるが、これらはγが小さ
い上に加工の作業性のｗ４題があり、望ましくない。Of course, commonly used organic materials and liquid crystals can also be used as optical nonlinear materials, but these are undesirable because they have a small γ and have problems with processing workability.
以上説明したように、本実施例の光増幅形切替部品１０
によれば、Ｄから入射したポンプ光の強度を変化させろ
ことにより領域りの機能クラッド部１４の屈折率を変化
させることができ、これによりＡから入射した伝搬光を
ＢかＣの何かに切替えて出射することが可能となる。ま
た、このとき、ポンプ光は領域り以外では機能クラッド
部１４に作用せずに光ファイバ中を伝搬するため、ポン
プ光月光源はＤと接続するだけでよく、領域りどの位置
関係を特別に配慮する必要がないという利点がある。As explained above, the optical amplification type switching component 10 of this embodiment
According to the above, by changing the intensity of the pump light incident from D, it is possible to change the refractive index of the functional cladding part 14 in the region, thereby converting the propagating light incident from A to either B or C. It becomes possible to switch and emit light. In addition, at this time, since the pump light propagates through the optical fiber without acting on the functional cladding part 14 outside the area, the pump light source only needs to be connected to D, and the positional relationship between the areas must be specially adjusted. It has the advantage of not requiring any consideration.
また、Ｄからポンプ光と共に励起光を入射すると、この
励起光は領域りとその近傍の機能クラッド部１４内の光
増幅元素イオンに吸収され、これによりＡから入射した
伝搬光を増幅させてＢ又はＣから出射させることが可能
である。この場合、励起光は領域り以外では機能クラッ
ド部１４と作用せずに光ファイバ中を伝搬するため、励
起用光源は例えばＤと接続するだけでよく、領域りどの
位置関係を特別に配慮したり、何種類もの光カプラ等の
光部品を準備する必要がないという利点がある。Furthermore, when excitation light is incident along with the pump light from D, this excitation light is absorbed by the optical amplifying element ions in the functional cladding section 14 in the region and its vicinity, thereby amplifying the propagating light incident from A. Alternatively, it is possible to emit light from C. In this case, since the excitation light propagates through the optical fiber without interacting with the functional cladding part 14 outside the area, the excitation light source only needs to be connected to, for example, D, and special consideration should be given to the positional relationship between the areas. Another advantage is that there is no need to prepare many types of optical components such as optical couplers.
しかも、光増幅形切替部品１０の各入出力Ａ−Ｄは光フ
ァイバ形状であるので、光通信用の光ファイバとの間の
接続は、低損失な融着接続技術を適用することができ、
従来問題となっていた損失を低減することができる。In addition, since each input/output A to D of the optical amplification type switching component 10 is in the form of an optical fiber, low-loss fusion splicing technology can be applied to the connection with the optical fiber for optical communication.
Loss, which has been a problem in the past, can be reduced.
なお、以上説明した例ではポンプ光と励起光とを同時に
導入して光切好機能と光増幅機能とを作用させているが
、両Ｉａ能はそれぞれ独立に作用するので、ポンプ光と
励起光の何れか一方のみを導入することにより、それに
対応する機能のみを働かせることができろ。In addition, in the example explained above, the pump light and the excitation light are introduced at the same time to cause the light amplification function and the light amplification function to act, but since both Ia functions act independently, the pump light and the excitation light By introducing only one of them, only the corresponding function can be activated.
以下、光増幅形切替部品１０の具体的使用例について説
明する。A specific usage example of the optical amplification type switching component 10 will be described below.
第５図はその使用態様を示す概念図であり、図中、２１
は伝搬光光源（１，５３８μｎ帯ＤＦＢし−ザ）であり
、光通（ス光源を模擬している。FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing its usage mode, and in the figure, 21
is a propagating light source (1,538 μn band DFB laser) and simulates a light source.
また、２２は通常光アイμ（１，５５μｍ帯分布シフト
ファイバ）、２３ａ及び２３ｂば伝搬光受光部（スペク
トラムアナライザ）、２４は増幅に用いろ励起用光源（
Ａｒイオンレーザ）、２５は切替に用いるポンプ用光源
（大出力色素レーザ）である。なお、ここで、光増幅形
切替部品１０としては機能クラッド部に、１．５５μｍ
帯の波長で増幅作用を有するエルビムイオンと微小結晶
半導体とをドープしたガラスを用い、光増＋ｌ＋！形切
替部品１０と通常光ファイバ２２との接続は、融着接続
により１１っな。Further, 22 is a normal optical eye μ (1.55 μm band distribution shifted fiber), 23a and 23b are propagating light receivers (spectrum analyzers), and 24 is an excitation light source used for amplification (
25 is a pump light source (high output dye laser) used for switching. Note that here, as the optical amplification type switching component 10, the functional cladding part has a thickness of 1.55 μm.
Using glass doped with erubim ions and microcrystalline semiconductors, which have an amplification effect at wavelengths in the band, optical amplification +l+! The shape switching component 10 and the normal optical fiber 22 are connected to each other by fusion splicing.
このような構成において、まず、光増幅形切替部品ｌＯ
の外部を空気とした場合、すなわちＮ ＝１の場合に
おいて、ポンプ光源２５からのポンプ光をオン・オフさ
せ、光パワーメータ２４ａ、２４ｂのパワー比を測定し
た。In such a configuration, first, the optical amplification type switching component lO
When the outside was air, that is, when N = 1, the pump light from the pump light source 25 was turned on and off, and the power ratio of the optical power meters 24a and 24b was measured.
この結果、ポンプ光を入射したときと入射しないとさと
のパワー比は、それぞれ約８％と約９５％であり、光路
の切替えが行われることが認められた。また、この切替
は、光増幅形切替部品の外部の屈折率Ｎ３を変えること
により、切替波長等を変更することができろ。As a result, the power ratios when the pump light was incident and when the pump light was not incident were about 8% and about 95%, respectively, and it was confirmed that the optical path was switched. Further, in this switching, the switching wavelength etc. can be changed by changing the external refractive index N3 of the optical amplification type switching component.
一方、励起用光源２４から励起光を入射した場合の伝搬
光の受光レベルと、励起光を入射しない場合の伝搬光の
受光レベルとを伝搬光受光部２３ａ又は２３ｂで測定し
たところ、励起光入射において約０．５ｄＢ程度の受光
レベルの向上が認められた。On the other hand, when the light receiving level of the propagating light when the excitation light is incident from the excitation light source 24 and the light receiving level of the propagating light when the excitation light is not incident are measured by the propagating light receiving section 23a or 23b, it is found that when the excitation light is incident, An improvement in the light reception level of about 0.5 dB was observed.
さらに、ポンプ光と励起光とを同時に入射したところ、
上記切替特性に加え、同程度の増幅特性が同時に得られ
ることが確認された。Furthermore, when pump light and excitation light were incident simultaneously,
In addition to the above switching characteristics, it was confirmed that similar amplification characteristics could be obtained at the same time.
以上の結果は、本発明の光増幅形切替部品が長距離光通
信に用いられる１、５５μｍ付近の伝搬光を簡便に切替
・増幅できることを示しており、従来それぞれに必要で
あった複雑な光学部品の組合せを用いなくとも同様な切
替・増幅を実現することができろ。また、この場合、増
幅特性は、上記実施例におけろ光増幅元素イオン１度１
０００ ｐＨｌｌ程度を増大ずろことにより、さらに向
上可能である。The above results demonstrate that the optical amplification type switching component of the present invention can easily switch and amplify propagating light in the vicinity of 1.55 μm used for long-distance optical communication, and it is possible to easily switch and amplify propagating light in the vicinity of 1.55 μm, which is used for long-distance optical communication. Similar switching and amplification can be achieved without using a combination of parts. In addition, in this case, the amplification characteristics are as follows:
Further improvement is possible by increasing the pH by approximately 000 pHll.
次に、ネオジウムと微小結晶半導体とをド・−ブした光
増幅形切替部品１０を用い、伝曙先光Ｈ２１に１．１μ
ｍｕｆｆファブリペロレーザ、伝搬光受光部２３ａ、２
３ｂにスペクトラムアナライザ、通常光フ７・イバ２２
に１．３μｍ帯ファイバ、励起用光源２４にＡｒイオン
レーザ、ポンプ光源２５に大出力色素レーザをそれぞれ
用いたところ、約０１７ｄＢの受光レベルの向上と９０
％／１０％の切替特性とが認められた。なお、この場合
にも光増幅元素イオン濃度を向上することにより増幅特
性の一層の向上が可能である。Next, using an optical amplification type switching component 10 doped with neodymium and a microcrystalline semiconductor, a 1.1μ
muff Fabry-Perot laser, propagation light receiver 23a, 2
Spectrum analyzer on 3b, normal optical fiber 7/Iba 22
When using a 1.3 μm band fiber, an Ar ion laser as the excitation light source 24, and a high-output dye laser as the pump light source 25, the received light level was improved by about 0.17 dB and 90 dB.
%/10% switching characteristics were observed. In this case as well, the amplification characteristics can be further improved by increasing the ion concentration of the optical amplification element.
なお、上記実施例では、光増幅元素と光非線形物質とを
クラッド部の伝搬光がしみ出てこない部分のみに含有さ
せたが、これに限定されるものではなく、例えばクラッ
ド部全体に含有させるようにしてもよい。但し、この場
合には、伝搬光や励起光及びポンプ光が多少減資する可
能性がある。In the above embodiment, the optical amplifying element and the optical nonlinear material are contained only in the part of the cladding part from which the propagating light does not seep out, but the invention is not limited to this, and for example, they can be contained in the entire cladding part. You can do it like this. However, in this case, there is a possibility that the propagation light, excitation light, and pump light will be reduced to some extent.
〈発明の効果〉
以上説明したように、本発明の光増幅形切替部品は１部
品で増幅と切替との両機能を実現するものであり、光伝
送方式に導入することにより、伝搬光光源の出力低減や
光ファイバ環路の融通性を向上することができ、ひいて
はサービスの向上を図ることができる。しかも、光伝送
方式に導入するに際に特別の部品も必要とせずに接続が
容易且つ低損失であるものである。<Effects of the Invention> As explained above, the optical amplification type switching component of the present invention achieves both amplification and switching functions with a single component, and by introducing it into an optical transmission system, it can improve the performance of a propagating light source. It is possible to reduce the output power and improve the flexibility of the optical fiber loop, and in turn, it is possible to improve the service. Moreover, when it is introduced into an optical transmission system, it does not require any special parts, is easy to connect, and has low loss.
第１図〜第５図は本発明の実施例に係り、第１図はその
光ｆｆｆｆｆ切形切替部品観図、第２図〜第４図はその
Ｉｆ−ＩＩ、 Ｉ−Ｉ、 ＩＶ−１１／断面図、第５図
はその使用態様を示す概念図、第６図及び第７図は従来
技術に係る光増幅技術を示す説明図、第８図〜第１２図
はそれぞれ従来技術に係る光切付方式を示す説明図であ
る。
図 面 中、
ｌＯは光増幅形切替部品、
１１は光ファイバ、
１２はコア部、
１３は導波クラッド部、
４は機能クラッド部、
５は接続部、
１（ま伝搬光光源、
２は通常光ファイバ、
３ａ、２３ｂは伝搬光受光部、
４は励起用光源、
５はポンプ光源である。
Δ
第
図FIGS. 1 to 5 relate to embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a view of the light ffffff cutting part, and FIGS. 2 to 4 are If-II, II, IV-11. / sectional view, FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing how it is used, FIGS. 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams showing the optical amplification technology according to the prior art, and FIGS. It is an explanatory diagram showing a cutting method. In the drawing, IO is an optical amplification type switching component, 11 is an optical fiber, 12 is a core part, 13 is a waveguide cladding part, 4 is a functional cladding part, 5 is a connection part, 1 (also a propagation light source, 2 is a normal Optical fiber, 3a and 23b are propagation light receivers, 4 is an excitation light source, and 5 is a pump light source. Δ Fig.
Claims (1)
と共に当該接続部の外径が上記光ファイバ外径より小さ
い光ファイバ部品であつて、上記光ファイバのクラッド
部の少なくとも１部に、光増幅元素を少なくとも１種含
むと共に、光強度により屈折率が変化する光非線形物質
を含むことを特徴とする光増幅形切替部品。An optical fiber component in which two or more optical fibers are connected to each other on their side surfaces and the outer diameter of the connecting portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the optical fiber, wherein at least a part of the cladding portion of the optical fiber is provided with: An optical amplification type switching component characterized by containing at least one optical amplification element and an optical nonlinear material whose refractive index changes depending on the light intensity.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1165379A JPH0331826A (en) | 1989-06-29 | 1989-06-29 | Light amplification type switching component |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1165379A JPH0331826A (en) | 1989-06-29 | 1989-06-29 | Light amplification type switching component |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH0331826A true JPH0331826A (en) | 1991-02-12 |
Family
ID=15811259
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1165379A Pending JPH0331826A (en) | 1989-06-29 | 1989-06-29 | Light amplification type switching component |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH0331826A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0442518A2 (en) * | 1990-02-16 | 1991-08-21 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | A method for optical switching and an optical switch |
| JP2003092916A (en) * | 2001-09-20 | 2003-04-02 | Yanmar Agricult Equip Co Ltd | Combine |
-
1989
- 1989-06-29 JP JP1165379A patent/JPH0331826A/en active Pending
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0442518A2 (en) * | 1990-02-16 | 1991-08-21 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | A method for optical switching and an optical switch |
| EP0442518A3 (en) * | 1990-02-16 | 1992-09-16 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | A method for optical switching and an optical switch |
| JP2003092916A (en) * | 2001-09-20 | 2003-04-02 | Yanmar Agricult Equip Co Ltd | Combine |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| JP2933998B2 (en) | Erbium-doped fiber amplifier coupling device | |
| JPH03171103A (en) | Hybrid optical isolator, circulator or switch and system using the same | |
| JPH05509202A (en) | optical waveguide amplifier | |
| US5546481A (en) | Single polarization fiber and amplifier | |
| EP0970394B1 (en) | Optical isolator module and optical amplifier using the same | |
| JP4812175B2 (en) | Device comprising a waveguide structure | |
| US6404541B2 (en) | Optical amplifier with active-fiber loop mirror | |
| US20020101650A1 (en) | Optical amplifier stage | |
| JPH0331826A (en) | Light amplification type switching component | |
| JP3495578B2 (en) | Optical fiber amplifier | |
| JPH06102546A (en) | Optical communication system having power limiter for high energy pulse | |
| EP1139519A2 (en) | Optical amplifier with active-loop mirror | |
| JPH0311322A (en) | Two-way optical amplifying transmission circuit | |
| JP2682870B2 (en) | Optical amplifier | |
| JP2786006B2 (en) | Optical amplification parts | |
| JPH04199032A (en) | Optical coupler with light amplifying function | |
| JPH0331827A (en) | Light amplifying component | |
| JPH06214267A (en) | Nonlinear optical device | |
| JPH02222186A (en) | Glass waveguide laser array | |
| JP2579005B2 (en) | Optical multiplexer / demultiplexer | |
| CN1312500C (en) | Optical mixer including four isolated end port | |
| JP2749643B2 (en) | Light coupler | |
| JPS63221692A (en) | Semiconductor light amplifier | |
| JP2777456B2 (en) | Optical amplification parts | |
| JP2818365B2 (en) | Active optical fiber coupler and method of manufacturing the same |