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Abstract

Optical fiber amplifiers with a simple composition than can accurately flatten optical output power in a fixed range are provided. Main optical amplifiers and first gain equalizers connected to these amplifiers are disposed between input port and output port. The main optical amplifiers comprise first EDFs which function as first amplification optical fibers, pumping light sources for providing pumping to drive the first EDFs using amplification characteristics, and second isolators. It is preferable for the second isolators to be isolators that can eliminate optical pumping power. The first gain equalizers are comprised by second absorption EDF. This second EDF operates such that the gain of the optical signal decreases in a non-pumping state or in a slight pumping state. The amplification characteristics used by the first EDF to amplify the optical signal power are opposite to the absorption characteristics used by the second EDF to absorb the optical signal power. Therefore, by means of passing a Wavelength Division Multiplexing Signal (WDM) through the first and second EDFs, only the portion of the Wavelength Division Multiplexing Signal (WDM) output from the first EDF that corresponds to the signal amplified by the first EDF is absorbed while a Wavelength Division Multiplexing Signal (WDM) passes through the second EDF. Because of this, the gain of the Wavelength Division Multiplexing Signal (WDM) ultimately output from an optical fiber amplifier is flattened.

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