Thermal phase noise in coherent optical-fibre systems

Coherent optical-fibre systems are sensitive to optical phase changes along the length of the fibre link. Thermal energy in the optical fibre can give rise to acoustic waves propagating along it and these result in optical phase changes. Thus, there is the possibility of a noise signal induced by thermal acoustic energy propagating along the fibre. This letter postulates a theoretical model for this interaction and estimates the magnitude of the effect. Conditions under which it may be a significant noise source are discussed.