Raman fiber amplifier with integrated cooler

Abstract

We present a new scheme for a laser cooled Raman optical fiber amplifier. The heat generated in the process of stimulated Raman scattering is compensated for with laser cooling provided by anti-Stokes fluorescence of ytterbium ions doped in the core of the fiber. The device is pumped with two pump sources. One of the pump sources provides Raman amplification of the signal and does not interact with the ytterbium ions in the core of the fiber. The second pump provides laser cooling of the fiber with anti-Stokes fluorescence of the Yb3+ ions. The proper arrangement of Yb3+distribution can provide athermal performance of the device.