Pulse generation system for fiber amplifier optical memory: Measurement of gain saturation properties

We report on development of a pulse generation system for realization of optical memory based on optical interference inside a fiber amplifier. Properties of an erbium-doped fiber amplifier are precisely evaluated as a memory medium. Under a CW pumping condition, pulse width, pulse interval and pumping power dependences of gain saturation are precisely measured. The dependences are discussed by assuming that the pulse width is much shorter than response times of erbium ion three-level systems.