Nonresonant spectral-hole burning in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers

Evaluation of nonuniform WDM source spacing for EDFA gain characterization

“…The 400-800 GHz source spacing scheme is equivalent to 3-nm spacing on the blue end of the wavelength band and approximately 6-nm spacing on the red end of the wavelength band. These spacings are very close to the spectral hole widths reported in [4] and [5]. In order to keep the spectral hole burning effect to a minimum with sufficiently narrow source spacing while keeping system costs low, the 400-800 GHz configuration offers a well-balanced solution, requiring a total of only 12 lasers.…”

“…To evaluate this, we refer to a series of measurements made with a single source [4], [5]. Together, these two references can be used to characterize the locations and sizes of the spectral holes in the -Band.…”

“…Together, these two references can be used to characterize the locations and sizes of the spectral holes in the -Band. According to [4], the width of the spectral hole varies from 3-8 nm, with the width of the hole increasing with longer wavelengths. The results presented in Table I are in accordance with the results of [4] and [5].…”

“…According to [4], the width of the spectral hole varies from 3-8 nm, with the width of the hole increasing with longer wavelengths. The results presented in Table I are in accordance with the results of [4] and [5]. Based on the several configurations tested, the upper limit on nonuniform source spacing for the wavelength band under consideration, using two regions, is 400-800 GHz.…”

“…The spectral hole burning effects on the gain and ASE spectrum in the shorter wavelength region [4] indicate that certain minimum wavelength spacing is required between sources. On the other hand, the width of the spectral hole burning effects toward the red end of the gain spectrum shows that the source spacing can be quite wide.…”