Transfer response measurements of a programmable bipolar optical transversal filter by using the ASE noise of an EDFA

A simpler and more straightforward approach for the transfer response measurements of a programmable bipolar optical transversal filter is demonstrated by using the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise of an erbium-doped fiber amplifier. The ASE noise is used as the source of optical quasi-white noise input because of its broad bandwidth, and the output is directly observed with an optical spectrum analyzer and an autocorrelator. This technique is suitable to evaluate the coherent type of optical filters.