Modeling the gain degradation of high concentration erbium-doped fiber amplifiers by introducing inhomogeneous cooperative up-conversion

The gain degradation of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) with high erbium ion (Er³⁺) concentration at 1.48- and 0.98-μm pump wavelengths is modeled by introducing inhomogeneous cooperative up-conversion (IhCU). General formulas describing the gain degradation as a function of IhCU rate are obtained by solving rate equations for population probabilities in the relevant Er³⁺ energy levels. The experimental results, such as low gain for high Er³⁺ concentration, and higher saturated gain with counterpropagation than with copropagation pumping, which have not yet been explained theoretically, are qualitatively explained by this model. Good agreement between the measured and calculated gain is obtained. The gain degradation characteristics at 1.48- and 0.98-μm pump wavelengths are analyzed with this model. The advantage of counterpropagation pumping is determined qualitatively. The noise figure degradation is also evaluated