Efficient erbium-doped fiber amplifier at a 1.53-microm wavelength with a high output saturation power

An efficient erbium-doped fiber amplifier providing gains from +25 to +37 dB with pump powers at lambda = 1.49 microm in the 11-54-mW range is described. Corresponding saturation output powers of +2.5 to +11 dBm were achieved. A maximum gain coefficient of 2.1 +/- 0.1 dB/mW was measured, which is to our knowledge the highest value reported for erbium-doped fiber amplifiers pumped near lambda = 1.49 microm and matches previously reported results for a lambda = 980-nm pump.