BIDIRECTIONAL PROPAGATION TYPE OPTICAL SIGNAL REPRODUCER USING OPTICAL NONLINEAR EFFECT AND OPTICAL SIGNAL REPRODUCING METHOD

摘要

An optical signal reproducer is provided with an optical nonlinear medium (1); first and second circulators (2, 3) connected with front and rear terminals of the optical nonlinear medium, respectively; a first optical amplifier (4) for amplifying an input optical signal to project it to the first circulator (2); a first optical filter (5) to let a prescribed wavelength band of outward light pass through, wherein the outward light is incident to the front terminal of the optical nonlinear medium by way of the first optical circulator, goes out from the rear terminal of the optical nonlinear medium, and is incident by way of the second circulator to the first optical filter; a second optical amplifier (6) for amplifying an optical signal passing through the first optical filter and for projecting the amplified optical signal to the second optical circulator (3); and a second optical filter (7) to let a prescribed wavelength band of homeward light pass through, wherein the homeward light is incident to the rear terminal of the optical nonlinear medium by way of the second optical circulator, goes out from the front terminal of the optical nonlinear medium, and is incident to the second optical filter by way of the first circulator. Since an optical signal is reproduced by a nonlinear optical effect, it is possible to reduce the required length of the optical nonlinear medium.