Continuous wave parametric amplifier with 27 dB gain and low noise figure pumped with a frequency-modulated source

We have demonstrated the operation of a fibre parametric amplifier using standard Corning dispersion shifted fibre pumped by a frequency-modulated source of 1.5 W. A maximum gain of 27.2 dB, bandwidth of 42 nm and an average noise figure of 5.2 dB were achieved by removing the broadband amplified spontaneous emission pedestal from the pump. Without filtering the average noise figure increased to 28 dB. This demonstrates the necessity of having very low broadband background noise associated with the pump source.