The present invention relates to an optical amplification module having a
construction which effectively suppresses photodarkening, and to a laser
light source including the same. The laser light source comprises a light
source for outputting light to be amplified, and an optical amplification
module. The optical amplification module comprises two types of optical
amplification media having different rare earth element concentrations,
and a pumping light source. The low concentration medium and the high
concentration medium are disposed in the propagation direction of pumping
light such that the population inversion of the low concentration medium
is higher than that of the high concentration medium. Hence, by arranging
two types of optical amplification media with different rare earth
concentrations such that the population inversion of the low
concentration medium is higher than that of the high concentration
medium, sufficient overall gain of the laser light source can be obtained
while effectively suppressing photodarkening in the two types of optical
amplification media.