Microwave phase noise properties of optical links involving small signal and gain saturated optical amplifiers

Phase noise of optical links involving optical amplifiers is investigated. The amplifier appears to be a significant contributor to the link phase noise and this paper aims at determining in which conditions the optical amplifier is noiseless. A comparison between Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers and Booster Optical Amplifiers is drawn. The evolution of noise floor is finally related to noise figure measurements.