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Transmission of Multiple Signals through an Optical Fiber Using Wavefront Shaping
Published on: March 20, 2017
Higher-capacity communication links based on two-mode phase-sensitive amplifiers.
C J McKinstrie1, N Alic, Z Tong
1Bell Laboratories, Alcatel–Lucent, Holmdel, New Jersey 07733, USA. mckinstrie@alcatel-lucent.com
Optics Express
|July 1, 2011
Summary
Phase-sensitive parametric amplifiers offer lower noise figures and enhanced information capacity in optical communication links compared to traditional phase-insensitive amplifiers.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Optical Communications
Background:
- Optical communication links commonly utilize erbium-doped fiber amplifiers operating in a phase-insensitive (PI) manner.
- Parametric fiber amplifiers, involving signal and idler waves, can also be employed for amplification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of parametric amplifiers in optical communication.
- To explore methods for reducing noise figures and increasing information capacity.
Main Methods:
- Comparing phase-insensitive (PI) parametric amplifiers with erbium-doped fiber amplifiers.
- Analyzing the impact of transmitting correlated information in signal and idler waves for phase-sensitive (PS) operation.
- Evaluating the information capacity of two-mode PS links versus PI links.
Main Results:
- When used solely for signal amplification, parametric amplifiers exhibit PI behavior with noise figures comparable to erbium amplifiers.
- Enabling phase-sensitive (PS) operation through correlated information transmission or signal copying significantly lowers parametric amplifier noise figures.
- Two-mode PS links demonstrate a 2 b/s-Hz increase in information capacity over corresponding PI links.
Conclusions:
- Phase-sensitive operation is key to unlocking the superior performance of parametric amplifiers.
- Parametric amplifiers, when configured for PS operation, offer a significant advantage in optical communication link efficiency.
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