Wavelength and power dependence of injected C-band laser on pump conversion efficiency of L-band EDFA

The effect of wavelength and power of an injected C-band laser on the pump conversion efficiency of a L-band erbium-doped fiber amplifier was studied via numerical simulation and experiment. In the studied C-band wavelength range of 1530-1560 nm, for higher injected power with longer wavelength, the backward output amplified spontaneous emission power is compressed more; but the residual laser power is greater due to the smaller emission coefficient at longer wavelength. Thus there is a best choice for injection wavelength and power. With an injection of -2 dBm at 1550 nm, 4.3 and 2.5 dB of gain enhancement for -12 and -2.6 dBm input at 1586 nm were achieved, respectively.