Asymmetry Optimization for 10 THz OPC Transmission over the C + L Bands Using Distributed Raman Amplification.

An optimized design for a broadband Raman optical amplifier in standard single-mode fiber covering the C and L bands is presented, to be used in combination with wideband optical phase conjugation (OPC) nonlinearity compensation. The use of two Raman pumps and fiber Bragg grating reflectors at different wavelengths for the transmitted (C band) and conjugated (L band) WDM channels is proposed to extend bandwidth beyond the limits imposed by single-wavelength pumping, for a total 10 THz. Optimization of pump and reflector wavelength, as well as pump powers, allows us to achieve low asymmetry across the whole transmission band for optimal nonlinearity compensation. System performance is simulated to estimate OSNR, gain flatness and nonlinear Kerr distortion.

Effect of Linewidth on the Relative Intensity Noise in Random Distributed Feedback Raman Fiber Lasers.

We experimentally explore the relation between spectral linewidth and RIN transfer in half-open cavity random distributed feedback Raman lasers, demonstrating for the first time the possibility of adjusting the pump-to-signal RIN transfer intensity and cut-off frequency by using spectral filtering in the reflector section. We apply this approach to a 50-km laser system, operating in the C-Band, reliant on a standard single-mode fiber. We obtained a minimum bandwidth of 13 pm, which translates into a visible RIN cut-off at 800 MHz.

Anomalous relative intensity noise transfer in ultralong random fiber lasers.

We present, for the first time, an experimental demonstration of RIN noise transfer dampening at low frequencies in random distributed feedback ultralong Raman fibre lasers based on conventional telecommunication fibres. Furthermore, we present a thorough theoretical description of the phenomenon and demonstrate how our model can be used to predict the observed behaviour, identifying the general requirements for system improvement through RIN transfer reduction.

Spontaneous pump depolarization in ultralong cavity Raman fiber laser amplifiers.

We present an experimental demonstration of polarization-independent performance in a forward and backward-pumped 2nd-order ultralong cavity Raman laser amplifiers with highly polarized pumps. Our findings show that the depolarization of the Stokes component due to gain saturation leads to polarization-insensitive performance in terms of output gain and relative intensity noise in the signal. These results pave the way for the use of individual highly polarized low-RIN semiconductor laser diodes in Raman-amplified optical communications.

Performance optimization in ultra-long Raman laser amplified 10×30 GBaud DP-QPSK transmission: balancing RIN and ASE noise.

We experimentally evaluate the influence of RIN transfer from pump to signal on the transmission performance of a 10 × 30 Gbaud DP-QPSK transmission system using a 2nd-order ultra-long Raman fiber laser amplifier, considering the effect of cavity front-end reflectivity and forward pump power ratio. The evolution of the Q-factors with distance up to maximum reach is monitored for a 10 × 30 Gbaud DP-QPSK transmission system with WDM channels between 1542.94 nm to 1550.12 nm. A maximum transmission distance of 6479 km is found for configurations with low forward pump powers corresponding to the optimal balance between RIN and ASE impairments.

Impact of input FBG reflectivity and forward pump power on RIN transfer in ultralong Raman laser amplifiers.

Relative intensity noise transfer from the pump to the signal in 2nd-order ultra-long Raman laser amplifiers for telecommunications is characterized numerically and experimentally. Our results showcase the need for careful adjustment of the front FBG reflectivity and the relative contribution of forward pump power, and their impact on performance. Finally, our analysis is verified through a 10 × 30 GBaud DP-QPSK transmission experiment, showing a large Q factor penalty associated with the combination of high forward pumping and high reflectivities.

Link optimization for DWDM transmission with an optical phase conjugation.

We characterize in-span signal power asymmetry in random distributed feedback ultralong Raman laser-amplified WDM transmission and numerically optimize fiber span length and operating band to achieve the lowest inter-span signal power asymmetry between transmitted and optically conjugated channels in systems relying upon mid-link optical conjugation to combat fiber nonlinear impairments.

Signal power asymmetry optimisation for optical phase conjugation using Raman amplification.

We numerically optimise in-span signal power asymmetry in different advanced Raman amplification schemes, achieving a 3% asymmetry over 62 km SMF using random DFB Raman laser amplifier. We then evaluate the impact of such asymmetry on the performance of systems using mid-link OPC by simulating transmission of 7 × 15 Gbaud 16QAM Nyquist-spaced WDM-PDM signals.

Respiratory function monitoring using a real-time three-dimensional fiber-optic shaping sensing scheme based upon fiber Bragg gratings.

An array of in-line curvature sensors on a garment is used to monitor the thoracic and abdominal movements of a human during respiration. The results are used to obtain volumetric changes of the human torso in agreement with a spirometer used simultaneously at the mouth. The array of 40 in-line fiber Bragg gratings is used to produce 20 curvature sensors at different locations, each sensor consisting of two fiber Bragg gratings. The 20 curvature sensors and adjoining fiber are encapsulated into a low-temperature-cured synthetic silicone. The sensors are wavelength interrogated by a commercially available system from Moog Insensys, and the wavelength changes are calibrated to recover curvature. A three-dimensional algorithm is used to generate shape changes during respiration that allow the measurement of absolute volume changes at various sections of the torso. It is shown that the sensing scheme yields a volumetric error of 6%. Comparing the volume data obtained from the spirometer with the volume estimated with the synchronous data from the shape-sensing array yielded a correlation value 0.86 with a Pearson's correlation coefficient p<0.01.

Multichannel Raman polarizer with suppressed relative intensity noise for wavelength division multiplexing transmission lines.

We propose a method of suppressing the relative intensity noise caused by polarization-dependent gain that is inherent to Raman polarizers (RPs). This method involves bit-synchronously scrambling the state of polarization of a pulse (bit) before the pulse enters the RP. The proposed solution works for RPs operating in a depleted regime and is compatible with multichannel configurations.

Experimental and theoretical study of longitudinal power distribution in a random DFB fiber laser.

We have measured the longitudinal power distribution inside a random distributed feedback Raman fiber laser. The observed distribution has a sharp maximum whose position depends on pump power. The spatial distribution profiles are different for the first and the second Stokes waves. Both analytic solution and results of direct numerical modeling are in excellent agreement with experimental observations.

Theory of fiber optic Raman polarizers.

We propose and apply a theoretical description of a Raman amplifier based on the vector model of randomly birefringent fibers to the characterization of Raman polarizers. The Raman polarizer is a special type of Raman amplifier with the property of producing a highly repolarized beam when fed by relatively weak and unpolarized light.

RIN transfer in 2nd-order distributed amplification with ultralong fiber lasers.

We investigate numerically the effect of ultralong Raman laser fiber amplifier design parameters, such as span length, pumping distribution and grating reflectivity, on the RIN transfer from the pump to the transmitted signal. Comparison is provided to the performance of traditional second-order Raman amplified schemes, showing a relative performance penalty for ultralong laser systems that gets smaller as span length increases. We show that careful choice of system parameters can be used to partially offset such penalty.

Brillouin optical time-domain analysis assisted by second-order Raman amplification.

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a new method to extend the range of Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA) systems. It exploits the virtual transparency created by second-order Raman pumping in optical fibers. The idea is theoretically analyzed and experimentally demonstrated in a 50 km fiber. By working close to transparency, we also show that the measurement length of the BOTDA can be increased up to 100 km with 2 meter resolution. We envisage extensions of this technique to measurement lengths well beyond this value, as long as the issue of relative intensity noise (RIN) of the primary Raman pump can be avoided.

Ultralong Raman fiber lasers as virtually lossless optical media.

By transforming the optical fiber span into an ultralong cavity laser, we experimentally demonstrate quasilossless transmission over long (up to 75 km) distances and virtually zero signal power variation over shorter (up to 20 km) spans, opening the way for the practical implementation of integrable nonlinear systems in optical fiber. As a by-product of our technique, the longest ever laser (to the best of our knowledge) has been implemented, with a cavity length of 75 km. A simple theory of the lossless fiber span, in excellent agreement with the observed results, is presented.

Robustness of 40 Gb/s ASK modulation formats in the practical system infrastructure.

In this work, we theoretically and experimentally analyzed the resilience of 40 Gb/s amplitude shift keying modulation formats to transmission impairments in standard single-mode fiber lines as well as to optical filtering introduced by the optical add/drop multiplexer cascade. Our study is a pre-requisite to assess the implementation of cost-effective 40 Gb/s modulation technology in next generation high bit-rate robust optical transport networks.

Optimal span length in high-speed transmission systems with hybrid Raman-erbium-doped fiber amplification.

We show, using nonlinearity management, that the optimal performance in high-bit-rate dispersion-managed fiber systems with hybrid amplification is achieved for a specific amplifier spacing that is different from the asymptotically vanishing length corresponding to ideally distributed amplification [Opt. Lett. 15, 1064 (1990)]. In particular, we prove the existence of a nontrivial optimal span length for 40-Gbit/s wavelength-division transmission systems with Raman-erbium-doped fiber amplification. Optimal amplifier lengths are obtained for several dispersion maps based on commonly used transmission fibers.