CRANBURY, N.J., April 4 – Princeton Lightwave Inc. announced that it has made a breakthrough in optical power levels by demonstrating a 1-W power level from a single narrow-stripe pump laser chip. The company said that achieving record power levels across the 1400 to 1500 nm wavelength range demonstrates its ability to address customer needs for both EDFA and Raman pumps. Higher optical powers provide increased gain amplification leading to a reduced number of pumps, thereby decreasing product costs and manufacturing complexity while providing increased bandwidth. Further, higher optical powers provide amplifier manufacturers with more choices and greater system flexibility. One module at 500 mW can replace two current 250 mW modules, so fewer components are required.