A high-power high-gain single-polarization EDFA

Summary form only given. High power erbium doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) are key elements in both fiber optic distribution networks and free-space communications. Single-polarization EDFAs provide additional capabilities for polarization diplexing and improved communication performance since orthogonally polarized amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) can be eliminated at both receiver and transmitter. Such features can offer substantial benefit in free-space links where improvements in single-polarization receiver sensitivity directly reduce the required transmitter power.