Optical amplifier noise figure in a coherent optical transmission system

Author

Walker, Graham R. ; Steele, Roger C. ; Walker, Nigel G.

Author_Institution

British Telecom Res. Lab., Martlesham Heath, UK

Volume

8

Issue

9

fYear

1990

fDate

9/1/1990 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1409

Lastpage

1413

Abstract

Two important aspects of optical amplifier noise figure as measured with a heterodyne detection receiver are investigated. First, differential mode gain will result in polarization-dependent degradation of the perceived amplifier noise figure, even when the noise figures for the TE and TM modes of the amplifier are the same. For a differential mode gain of 7.5 dB the noise figure degradation can be as large as 3 dB, and experimental data is reported in good agreement with theoretical predictions. Secondly, the first experimental demonstration of the use of image-rejection techniques to improve the sensitivity of a heterodyne receiver limited by beat noise between the local oscillator and amplified spontaneous emission is discussed

Keywords

light coherence; noise; optical communication equipment; optical links; receivers; 3 dB; 7.5 dB; TE modes; TM modes; amplified spontaneous emission; beat noise; coherent optical transmission system; differential mode gain; heterodyne detection receiver; image-rejection techniques; local oscillator; optical amplifier noise figure; polarization-dependent degradation; Degradation; Differential amplifiers; Noise figure; Optical amplifiers; Optical mixing; Optical noise; Optical receivers; Optical sensors; Semiconductor optical amplifiers; Stimulated emission;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/50.59172

Filename

59172