Recent Progress in Optical Parametric Amplification

Parametric amplifiers are well suited for optical communication systems. Not only can parametric amplifiers provide high gain for arbitrary signal wavelengths, they can also conjugate the signals and convert their wavelengths. The four-sideband model of parametric amplifiers driven by two pump waves will be reviewed and used to describe the conditions required to produce broad-bandwidth gain. The flexibility of the two-pump architecture allows it to produce gain that is nearly independent of the signal polarization, and idlers whose spectral widths are compatible to that of the signal. Optical regeneration and switching will be discussed briefly.