Title :
Highly nonlinear optical fiber for all optical processing applications
Author :
Holmes, M.J. ; Williams, D.L. ; Manning, R.J.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Eng., Cambridge Univ., UK
Abstract :
We have designed and fabricated highly nonlinear dispersion-shifted germania-doped silica fibers for use in the EDFA gain window, and measured a 9-fold increase in the fiber nonlinearity, compared to conventional dispersion-shifted fiber. We have also measured the contribution of the germania index-raising dopant to the effective fiber nonlinearity. We believe that our new fiber design will afford a significant reduction in the required fiber length for nonlinear switching, leading to a broader wavelength switching window, and allowing compact device packaging.<>
Keywords :
fibre lasers; germanate glasses; nonlinear optics; optical fibre communication; optical fibre dispersion; optical glass; packaging; refractive index; EDFA gain window; all optical processing applications; broader wavelength switching window; compact device packaging; dispersion-shifted fiber; dispersion-shifted germania-doped silica fibers; effective fiber nonlinearity; fiber design; fiber length; fiber nonlinearity; germania index-raising dopant; highly nonlinear optical fiber; nonlinear fiber loop mirrors; nonlinear switching; optical fiber switches; Erbium-doped fiber amplifier; Fiber nonlinear optics; Gain measurement; Optical fiber devices; Optical fiber dispersion; Optical fibers; Packaging; Process design; Silicon compounds; Wavelength measurement;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
