Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Patent of the Year – 2024/2025
Cybel LLC. has been awarded the 2024/2025 Patent of the Year for its innovation in fiber optic amplification. Their invention, detailed in U.S. Patent No. 11870205, titled ‘Efficient in-band pumping of Holmium-doped optical fiber amplifiers’, introduces a method to enhance signal amplification in the eye-safe 2 μm wavelength region.
This patented technology utilizes a Holmium-doped optical gain fiber, energized by a pump source operating within an absorption-dominant wavelength range of 1820 nm to 1880 nm. By selecting pump wavelengths where the fiber’s absorption coefficient exceeds its gain coefficient, the system minimizes unwanted spontaneous emissions and reduces crosstalk between signal and pump wavelengths. This results in more efficient and stable amplification of optical signals.
The amplifier supports both continuous wave and pulsed input signals and can be configured with single-clad, double-clad, or polarization-maintaining fiber structures. This flexibility makes it suitable for various applications, including LIDAR, atmospheric sensing, and advanced communication systems that require reliable performance in the 2 μm spectral region.
Cybel LLC.’s development represents a significant advancement in optical amplifier design, offering improved efficiency and signal integrity. By addressing key challenges in the 2 μm wavelength range, this invention provides a robust solution for next-generation photonic systems.