Observation of equivalent Rayleigh scattering mirrors in lightwave systems with optical amplifiers

Author

Gimlett, J.L. ; Iqbal, M.Z. ; Cheung, N.K. ; Righetti, A. ; Fontana, F. ; Grass, G.

Author_Institution

Bellcore, Red Bank, NJ, USA

Volume

2

Issue

3

fYear

1990

fDate

3/1/1990 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

211

Lastpage

213

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical studies that indicate that Rayleigh scattering acts as an equivalent mirror which can generate high levels of multiple reflection noise in lightwave systems employing optical amplifiers are discussed. The relative intensity noise can be calculated as a simple function of the amplifier gain and the ratio of total backscattered to incident power in the fibers. In high-speed digital systems, this noise limits the maximum usable repeater gain to less than 20 dB, unless optical isolators are employed.<>

Keywords

Rayleigh scattering; erbium; fibre optics; random noise; solid lasers; Ar/sup +/ laser pump; Er/sup 3+/ doped fiber amplifier; Rayleigh backscattering; amplifier gain; equivalent Rayleigh scattering mirrors; fiber transmission system; high-speed digital systems; incident power; lightwave systems; maximum usable repeater gain; multiple reflection noise; noise limits; optical amplifiers; optical isolators; optically isolated distributed feedback laser; relative intensity noise can; Acoustic reflection; High speed optical techniques; Mirrors; Noise generators; Noise level; Optical noise; Optical reflection; Optical scattering; Rayleigh scattering; Stimulated emission;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1041-1135

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/68.50892

Filename

50892