WaveSplitter's New Polarization Beam Combiners Enable Next-Generation Amplifiers for Ultra-Long-Haul Systems

All-Fiber Pump Combiner's High Pump Power Capability Ideal for Raman Amplifiers

ANAHEIM, CA - March 19, 2001 - Today at the OFC show, WaveSplitter Technologies, Inc., a worldwide supplier of fiber-optic components for optical amplifier and DWDM systems, announced that it has added high-performance fused-fiber polarization beam combiners (PBCs) to its WavePumpÔ pump combiner product family. WaveSplitter's PBCs offer high reliability and low insertion loss in a compact package, and can be used in both EDFAs and Raman amplifiers, with wavelengths customized to the customer's application. The WavePump PBCs are ideal for Raman amplifiers, a key component in ultra-long-haul and higher-bit-rate network designs.

"Raman amplification is playing an increasingly significant role in enabling ultra-long-haul and high-bit-rate systems," said Bill Diamond, CEO and President of WaveSplitter. "Our new polarization beam combiners round out our amplifier component product lines of WaveEssentials™ and WavePump, and address the high power requirements of Raman amplifiers while reducing the polarization dependent gain effect," Diamond concluded.

Complete All-Fiber Pump Combiner Solution
The WavePump PBCs allow the efficient combination of two orthogonally polarized pump lasers, doubling the input power and reducing the polarization dependent gain effect that occurs in Raman amplifiers. The high-power handling capability of the polarization beam combiners is ideally suited for the new Raman amplifiers, due to the high pump powers required for these amplifiers. The new PBCs complement the WavePump product family, offering a complete all-fiber pump combiner solution for EDFA and Raman amplifiers. WaveSplitter offers 1480 nm, 980 nm, and Raman wavelength pump combiners in addition to PBCs, and these can be integrated in modules to address the highest power amplifier needs.

About WaveSplitter Technologies, Inc.

WaveSplitter Technologies, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets reliable, highly scalable, cost-effective components for optical amplifier and DWDM systems for both long-haul and metropolitan area network applications. WaveSplitter's high-performance fiber and planar lightwave circuit components increase network bandwidth capabilities and offer a unique combination of low signal loss and modular expandability at an economical value. WaveSplitter was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Fremont, California. WaveSplitter is a trademark of WaveSplitter Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

For more information, reporters can contact:

Lisa Blair
WaveSplitter Technologies, Inc.
Phone: 510-651-7800 x 243
Fax: 510-580-1395
E-mail: lisa_blair@wavesplitter.com