Optical transmitter and optical transmission method

An optical transmitter includes a dummy optical source, a polarized wave beam coupler, and an auto gain control (AGC)-system amplifier. The dummy optical source outputs, out of an optical signal in which an optical path signal and an optical packet signal are mixed, a dummy signal having a wavelength identical to that of the optical packet signal. The polarized wave beam coupler multiplexes the dummy signal with the optical signal so that the dummy signal is orthogonal to the optical signal so as to output an output signal. The AGC-system amplifier inputs the output signal, and amplifies the output signal with a predetermined amplification factor corresponding to a power difference between input power and output power of an optical amplifier.