Open AccessMinimizing differential modal gain in cladding-pumped EDFAs supporting four and six mode groups
Author(s) -
Qiongyue Kang,
Ee Leong Lim,
Yongmin Jung,
Catherine Baskiotis,
Shaif-ul Alam,
David J. Richardson
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.22.021499
Subject(s) - optical amplifier , cladding mode , optics , cladding (metalworking) , materials science , modal , erbium doped fiber amplifier , minification , wavelength , erbium , amplifier , wavelength division multiplexing , optoelectronics , doping , physics , optical fiber , mathematics , laser , polarization maintaining optical fiber , fiber optic sensor , mathematical optimization , cmos , polymer chemistry , metallurgy
We employ a Genetic Algorithm for the purpose of minimization of the maximum differential modal gain (DMG) over all the supported signal modes (at the same wavelength) of cladding-pumped four-mode and six-mode-group EDFAs. The optimal EDFA designs found through the algorithm provide less than 1 dB DMG across the C-band (1530-1565 nm) whilst achieving more than 20 dB gain per mode. We then analyze the sensitivity of the DMG to small variations from the optimal value of the erbium doping concentration and the structural parameters, and estimate the fabrication tolerance for reliable amplifier performance.