EDFAs make use of the optical gain in an erbium doped fiber that is pumped by either 980 nm or 1480 nm light sources. Thus incoming light of a longer wavelength in the C- or L-band is amplified and enhances the transmission span of fiberoptic links.
EDFAs typically operate in saturation and the average power of a signal determines the average gain. Bit to bit dynamics, or interchannel crosstalk in DWDM-systems, do not change the dynamics of an EDFA. This also allows for amplification of other channel-bundles within the entire emission wavelength range of erbium superimposing simple single-channel links. The average output power in both cases is determined by the saturation power of the specific EDFA design however.
The majority of EDFAs is applied in fiberoptic links. Other applications can also be found - mainly in fiberoptic test & measurement but also other instruments including eyesafe freespace measurement installations.
Specification ERFA-C 17 00 503 001
Parameter
Wavelength range
optical output (@ 0 dBm in)
signal gain (@ -10 dBm in)
Small signal gain (@-20 dBm optical input)
noise figure
polarization sensitivity
isolation (input&output)
return loss
loss of signal
pump leakage (980 nm)
Value
1530 - 1565 nm
> 17 dBm
> 25 dB
> 25 dB
5-6
0.07 dB
40 dB
-60 dB
< -25 dBm
< -15 dBm
Options
- module (145x100x17 ccm) and customer specific packaging to be discussed
- L-Band EDFA and different optical specification on request
- RS-232 to GPIB converter on request
- output up to 2 W optical power
- versions with Yb-doped fiber for 1060nm-wavelength range