Reflective semiconductor optical amplifier for optical networks

1. An apparatus configured to amplify light at different wavelengths in an optical network, the apparatus having a waveguide, the waveguide comprising:

a first active material configured to amplify light at a first wavelength received at a first end of the waveguide;

a second active material configured to amplify light at a second wavelength;

a first reflector located between the first and second active materials and which is configured to reflect light at the first wavelength in a direction toward the first end and which is configured to be substantially transparent to light at the second wavelength; and

a second reflector adjacent the second active material which is configured to reflect light at the second wavelength in a direction toward the first end,

wherein the first reflector includes at least one of an air gap and a Bragg reflector between the first and the second active materials.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first active material and/or the second active material comprise Gallium, Indium, Arsenide and/or Phosphide.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein

the apparatus comprises a waveguide carrying the light at different wavelengths; and

the second reflector is provided at the end of the waveguide of the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first reflector comprises the air gap between the first and second active material.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein

the air gap between the first and second active material has a width of about 0.8 μm;

the first wavelength is about 1.3 μm; and

the second wavelength is about 1.5 μm.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first reflector comprises a Bragg reflector between the first and second active material.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light at the first wavelength enters the first active material in a direction of propagation which points towards the first reflector and which is perpendicular to a plane of the first reflector.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the light at the second wavelength enters the second active material in a direction of propagation which points towards the second reflector and which is perpendicular to a plane of the second reflector.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the directions of propagation of the light at the first wavelength and the light at the second wavelength are substantially parallel.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises means for electrically pumping the first and second active material.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a third active material configured to amplify light at a third wavelength; and

a third reflector adjacent the third active material which is configured to reflect light at the third wavelength;

wherein the second reflector is located between the second and the third active materials, and wherein the first and second reflector are configured to be substantially transparent to light at the third wavelength.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first reflector is provided by a change in the refractive index which occurs as light propagates from the first active material to the second active material.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first wavelength is smaller than the second wavelength.

14. An optical network comprising:

first transmitter/receiver means;

second transmitter/receiver means; and

amplification means according to any of claims 1 to 13 ;

wherein the first transmitter/receiver means is connected to the second transmitter/receiver means via the amplification means.

15. A method for amplifying light at different wavelengths in an optical network, the method comprising:

guiding light at a first and a second wavelength into a first active material;

wherein the light enters the first active material at a first end of the first active material;

amplifying the light at the first wavelength using the first active material;

reflecting the light at the first wavelength at another end of the first active material in a direction toward the first end of the first active material, the reflecting of the light being caused by at least one of an air gap and a Bragg reflector that exists between the first and the second active materials;

guiding the light at the second wavelength through the first active material into the second active material;

wherein the light enters the second active material at a first end of the second active material;

amplifying the light at the second wavelength using the second active material; and

reflecting the light at the second wavelength at another end of the second active material in a direction toward the first end of the first active material.