Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber...
Transcript of Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber...
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
A Project Report
submitted By
Laiju P.Joy
( Reg. No: 95713004 )
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the award of the degree of
MASTER OF TECHNOLOGY
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PHOTONICS
COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
COCHIN-682022
June 2015
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PHOTONICS
COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
COCHIN-22
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project work entitled ‘DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT OF
ERBIUM DOPED FIBER AMPLIFIERS‘ is a bonafide work done by Mr. LAIJU P.JOY
( Reg. No: 95713004 ) in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree
of Master of Technology in Opto Electronics & Laser Technology is carried out at
Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems, ISRO, Bangalore during the academic year 2014-
2015.
Prof. P. Radhakrishnan Dr. M. Kailasnath
Professor Director
International School of Photonics International School of Photonics
CUSAT CUSAT
ABSTRACT
The fiber amplifier is a key enabling technology for high speed optical communication.
The development of EDFA provide tremendous growth in communication system capacity.
The EDFA characteristics are analyzed for two different EDF length 7m and 13m, and two
different wavelengths 1550nm and 1570nm. The gain and noise characteristics of amplifier is
observed and compared with simulations.
The basic EDFA mathematical model is developed with Giles parameter by Matlab. The
Gain Master software used to simulate the EDFA with different length, input power and pump
powers.
The Optimum length of EDFA is 7m and use forward pumping configuration for reduce
effect of noise. The EDFA in 1550nm has gain 34.47dB in 20µW input with 300mW pump power
and noise figure is 4.5 dB.
The 5W amplifier use MOPA configuration. It has a EYCDFA followed by EDFA pre –
amplifier. The optimum length selected for EYCDF is 6m with pump power of 18W.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thank Mr. V.V. Laskshmi Pathi and Mrs. Lekshmi S. Rajan, Scientists,
Laboratory of Electro-Optics System (LEOS), they helped in reviewing the work progress,
results and offered valuable feedbacks in each and every stage of this project work.
I am thanking Dr. M. Kailasnath, Director, International School of Photonics, CUSAT for
giving all facilities that helped me to complete this mission.
I extend my sincere thanks to Dr. P. Radhakrishnan, Profeesor, International School of
Photonics, CUSAT for his motivation and support during my work
With deep sense of gratitude, I express my heartfelt thanks to Dr.V P N Nampoori, Emeritus
Professor, International school of photonics, CUSAT for the motivation, support in project work.
I thankful to my friends in International school of photonics, CUSAT for their support and help.
I sincerely thanks all the teachers who filled the knowledge and wisdom in me during each step
of my life. I also extend my sincere thanks to parents and God.
LAIJU P.JOY
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Basic Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier 2
1.2 EDFA Models 4
1.2.1 GILES MODEL 4
1.2.2 Saleh –Jopson Model 5
1.2.3 Average Inversion Model 5
1.2.4 Higher Erbium Concentration Model 6
1.3 EDFA characteristics 6
1.3.1 Overlap Factor of Amplifier 6
1.3.2 Optimum Length of EDF 7
1.3.3 Small Signal Gain 7
1.3.4 Gain Saturation Region 9
1.3.5 Amplified Spontaneous Emission 10
1.4 High Power Amplifier 10
1.5 Motivations & Contributions 11
2. EDFA Components & Characterization 12
2.1 Components used in EDFA configuration 12
2.1.1 Pump Laser Diode 12
2.2.2 Super Luminescent Diode 13
2.2.3 Wavelength Division Multiplexer/De-multiplexer 14
2.2.4 Isolator 16
2.2.5 Circulator 19
2.2.6 Fiber Bragg Grating 21
2.3 Characterization of EDFA Components 23
2.3.1 Pump Laser Diode 23
2.3.2 Super Luminescent Light Emitting Diode: SLED (Signal Source) 23
2.3.3 Isolator 24
2.3.4 Circulator 25
2.3.5 WDM Coupler 26
3. Design, Modeling & characterization of EDFA 27
3.1 MODELING OF EDFA 27
3.2 EDFA rate equations 27
3.2.1 Three level rate equations 27
3.2.2 Two level rate equation 30
3.3 Equations used for modeling 31
3.4 Amplifier Matlab Modeling with M-12 Generic Fiber using Giles Parameters 32
3.6 Simulations using Gain Master: Giles Model 38
3.7 Optimization of EDFA Parameters 39
3.7.1 EDF Length 39
3.7.2 Signal Power 40
3.7.3 Pump Configuration 41
3.8 EDFA Experiment 43
3.8.1 EDFA Experimental setup 44
3.8.2 Amplification 46
3.8.3 EDFA Gain Characteristics 48
3.8.5 Noise Figure 54
3.8.6 Noise Figure Characteristics 55
3.9 Experimental Data Analysis 56
4. Design of EYCDFA 57
4.1 Theory of EYCDFA 57
4.2 Experimental Setup for Simulation 58
4.3 Optimization of EYCDFA Parameters 59
4.3.1 Pump Power 59
4.3.2 Optimum Length 61
4.3.3 Signal Power 61
4.3.4 Wavelength 62
5. Conclusion 63
Future Plans 64
Bibliography 65
APPENDIX 66
ABSTRACT
The fiber amplifier is a key enabling technology for high speed optical communication.
The development of EDFA provide tremendous growth in communication system capacity.
The EDFA characteristics are analyzed for two different EDF length 7m and 13m, and two
different wavelengths 1550nm and 1570nm. The gain and noise characteristics of amplifier is
observed and compared with simulations.
The basic EDFA mathematical model is developed with Giles parameter by Matlab. The
Gain Master software used to simulate the EDFA with different length, input power and pump
powers.
The Optimum length of EDFA is 7m and use forward pumping configuration for reduce
effect of noise. The EDFA in 1550nm has gain 34.47dB in 20µW input with 300mW pump power
and noise figure is 4.5 dB.
The 5W amplifier use MOPA configuration. It has a EYCDFA followed by EDFA pre –
amplifier. The optimum length selected for EYCDF is 6m with pump power of 18W.
List of Figures
1.1 A basic EDFA configuration 2
1.2 Erbium ion transition 3
1.3 Erbium ion transition in different energy levels 3
1.4 Overlap between erbium ion distribution and transverse intensity profile 6
1.5 Optimum length at maximum gain 7
2.1 Diagram of simple laser diode 12
2.2 Common structure of super luminescent diode 13
2.3 The symmetric and antisymmetric mode of the combined wave guides 15
2.4 Coupling of power in wave guides 15
2.5 Polarization dependent isolator with Faraday rotator, polarizer and analyzer 18
2.6 Polarization independent isolator 19
2.7 Behavior of an optical circulator 20
2.8 Configuration of a 3 port optical circulator from port 1 to port 2 transmission 20
2.9 Configuration of a 3 port optical circulator from port 2 to port 3 transmission 20
2.10 Circulator used to drop an optical channel from a WDM system using FBG 21
2.11 FBG structure, refractive index profile and spectral response 22
2.12 Pump LD characteristics 23
2.13 SLD characteristics 24
2.14 SLED output spectrum obtained from OSA 24
2.15 Experimental setup for characterize isolator 25
2.16 Experimental setup for characterize circulator 25
2.17 Experimental setup for characterize WDM 26
3.1 EDFA as a 3 level system 28
3.2 EDFA as a 2 level system 30
3.3 Variation of signal power along the length of the fiber 35
3.4 Variation of pump power along the length of the fiber 36
3.5 Signal gain in dB along the length of the fiber 36
3.6 Forward ASE spectrum along the length of the fiber 37
3.7 Backward ASE spectrum along the length of the fiber 37
3.8 Variation of Noise Figure with pump power 38
3.9 Giles parameters 39
3.10 Variation of output signal power at different length EDF for input signal of 10μW and pump power of 300Mw 40
3.11 Variation of output power with respect to input power 40
3.12 Different pumping configuration used in EDFA 41
3.13 Output power for different pumping configuration 42
3.14 Output ASE power for different pumping configuration 43
3.15 Block diagram of EDFA experimental setup 43
3.16 Input signal derived with FBG 44
3.17 EDFA experimental setup 45
3.18 Amplified output for 7m EDF for 1550nm 46
3.19 Amplified output for 13m EDF for 1550nm 47
3.20 Amplified output for 7m EDF for 1570nm 47
3.21 Amplified output for 13m EDF for 1570nm 48
3.22 Variation of gain for different input power in 7m EDF in 1550nm input 48
3.23 Variation of gain for different input power in 13m EDF in 1550nm input 49
3.24 Variation of gain for different input power in 7m EDF in 1570nm input 49
3.25 Variation of gain for different input power in 13m EDF in 1570nm input 50
3.26 Comparison of gain in 7m and 13m EDF for 1550nm input power of 10μW and pump power 300mW 50
3.27 Comparison of gain at 1550nm and 1570nm input signal for 7m EDF with 10μW input 51
3.28 Comparison of simulations and experiment for input 10μW with wavelength 1550nm 52
3.29 Forward ASE of EDF 7m without input 52
3.30 Backward ASE of EDF 7m without input 53
3.31 Forward ASE of EDF 7m with input 54
3.32 Noise figure for 1550nm signal 55
3.33 Noise figure for 1570nm signal 55
4.1 Erbium Ytterbium transitions 57
4.2 EYCDFA model configuration 58
4.3 Pump absorption of EYCDF 59
4.4 Signal absorption cross section of EYCDF 59
4.5 Variation of signal power with fiber length and pump power 60
4.6 Output Optical Power vs Length w.r.t different pump power 60
4.7 Signal output power vs length 61
4.8 Signal output power vs signal input 61
4.9 Variation of output power with wavelength 62
List of Tables
2.1 Experimental result of circulator characterization 25
2.2 Experimental result of WDM coupler characterization 26
3.1 M-12 Generic fiber parameters used for Matlab simulation 34
3.2 EDFA output power with respect to EDF length 39
Abbreviations
ASE Amplified Spontaneous Emission
EDF Erbium Doped Fiber
EDFA Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier
ESA Excited State Absorption
EYCDF Erbium Ytterbium Co-Doped Fiber
EYCDFA Erbium Ytterbium Co-Doped Fiber Amplifier
FBG Fiber Bragg Grating
MOPA Master Oscillator Power Amplifier
NF Noise Figure
WDM Wavelength Division Multiplexer
Symbols
Aeff Effective erbium doped area in a fiber m2
τ Metastable life time of erbium ions s
h Plank’s constant Js
ν Frequency Hz
Δν Bandwidth Hz
g* Giles gain coefficient dB/m
α Giles loss coefficient dB/m
l Impurity and propagation losses in fiber dB/m
ζ Saturation Parameter m-3
( )aσ Absorption cross section m-2
( )eσ Emission cross section m-2
N Total population density of erbium ions/m3
N1 Ground state population density of erbium ions/m3
N2 Excited state population density of erbium ions/m3
λ Wavelength m
P Filed power W
I Intensity W/m2
1
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
Earlier long distance optical communication systems use electronic regenerators for
amplifying the optical signals. The attenuated optical signal is amplified electronically, first
convert optical signal into electrical domain and then conversion back to optical domain. Such
regenerators are designed to operate at one optical wavelength and specific bit rate. In a WDM
communication systems carrying multiple wavelength signals through one fiber, the electronic
regeneration would be very complex and expensive.
Optical amplifier can amplify the incoming optical signals in the optical domain itself
without any conversions to the electrical domain. It do not need high speed electronics circuitry
and they are transparent to bit rate, can amplify multiple optical signals at different wavelength
simultaneously. The development of EDFA provide tremendous growth in communication
system capacity using WDM, in which multiple wavelengths carrying independent signals are
propagated through same single mode fiber.
Optical amplifiers can be used at many points in communication link. A booster amplifier
is used to boost the power of the transmit signal before it launching into the fiber link. The pre
amplifier placed just before the receiver is used to increase the receiver sensitivity. In line
amplifiers are used at intermediate points in the fiber link to overcome losses.
Today, most of the optical fiber communication system use EDFAs, due to their
advantages in terms of bandwidth, high power output, and noise characteristics.
Erbium doped fiber amplifier is a optical amplifier, it amplifies weak input optical signals
directly without any conversions pumped with a laser diode. The main application of EDFA is to
amplify signals in optical domain.
The EDFA became a key enabling technology for optical communication networks, and
have since comprised the vast majority of all optical amplifiers deployed in the field. Erbium
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
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doped fiber amplifier is most common optical amplifier, commercially available since the early
1990’s. It is a most stable optical amplifier with operating bands 1525 – 1565 nm wavelength
region. It works best in this range with gain upto 30 dB.
The main element in EDFA is Erbium doped fiber, which is developed by conventional
Silica fiber with rare earth element Erbium.
1.1 Basic Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier
The basic EDFA configuration is shown in figure 1.1
It contains
Erbium Doped Fiber
Pump Source
Wavelength Division Multiplexer
Isolators
Figure 1.1 : a basic EDFA configuration
Erbium is generally preferred in fiber for amplification because of the inherent properties
associated with it. Erbium ions have quantum levels that can be stimulated to emit 1550nm band
with least power loss. Moreover the property of erbium is that its quantum levels allow it to get
excited by 980nm or 1480 nm pump signals. The amplification is achieved by stimulated
emission of photons from erbium ions in the doped fiber. The pump laser excites erbium ions
into a higher energy from ground level. The ions in the higher energy level will soon decay
spontaneously very fast to the metastable level, the life time of erbium ions in this level is 10ms.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
3
The stimulated decay from metastable level to ground generate light amplification by stimulated
emission.
When the Erbium is illuminated with light energy at a suitable wavelength (either 980nm
or 1480nm) it is excited to a long lifetime intermediate state (see Figure 1.2), following which it
decays back to the ground state by emitting light within the 1525-1565 nm band.
Figure 1.2 : Erbium ion transitions
Figure 1.3 : Erbium ion transitions in different energy levels
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
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When signal photon of wavelength equivalent to the band gap energy between the ground
state and metastable state is passing through the erbium doped fiber, two types of transitions
occur. First a small portion of the ions in the ground state absorb this signal photon and raise to
the metastable state known as stimulated absorption . The ions in the metastable band on
absorbing the energy from the signal photon can undergo stimulated emission and drop to the
ground level, thereby emitting a new photon of the same wavelength and same polarization that
of the input signal photon. Erbium ions can also be excited by a pump wavelength of 1480nm
but is not desirable because the pump and signal wavelengths are almost nearer and hence the
transitions between these wavelengths will lower the efficiency of the device and increase
amplifier noise. The 980nm pump source has a higher absorption cross section and hence will be
used where EDFA design demands low noise. Hence we have used a 980nm pump laser.
1.2 EDFA Models
The method of developing EDFA uses different modeling techniques. The Giles model
solves the steady state rate equation utilizing gain and absorption parameters which are
proportional to the cross sections. This model includes propagation equation which allow
modeling along the length of the fiber. Saleh-Jopson model provide analytical solutions to the
propagation equation. The higher erbium concentration model include the inhomogeneous
effects such as ion-ion interaction and ESA.
1.2.1 GILES MODEL
The simpler method of erbium doped fiber can be characterized by using amplifier
equation in terms of the erbium absorption coefficient α(λ), gain coefficient g*(γ), a fiber
saturation parameter ζ and excess loss in the fiber from scattering and impurity absorption l(λ).
These easily measured parameters allow the fiber performance evaluation in 980 nm or
1480 nm pumped optical amplifiers. Conventional fiber measurement techniques are used to
obtain these parameters, from which the amplifier performance can be calculated.
The rate equations for forward (+) and backward (-) propagating beams are
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
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( ) ( )KKKKKKKKK lh
nngP
nng
dzdP
+−∆++=± ± ανα1
2*
1
2* 2 (1.1)
( )∑∑
++= ±
KKKKK
KKK
hgP
hP
nn
ζνα
ν
*1
2
1 (1.2)
where
( ) ( ) ( )Na λλσλα Γ=
( ) ( ) ( )Ng e λλσλ Γ=*
τζ NAeff=
1.2.2 Saleh –Jopson Model
This model developed for estimation of the pump and signal power along the length of
the EDF fiber. The Saleh-Jopson model valid for amplifiers with gain less than 20 dB, and gain
saturation by ASE can be neglected.
The pump signal absorption and signal gain in EDF can be obtained by solving
transcendental equation. When the pump and signal power propagate through fiber the change in
power in the Kth beam can be obtained by
( ) ( ) ( )( ) ( )tzPtzNNdz
tzdPK
aK
aK
eKKK
K ,,,2 σσσµ −+Γ= (1.3)
( )( )
+Γ−
Γ−=τσσ
σ aK
eKK
outinaKK
inK
outK
PPALNPP exp)exp( (1.4)
where inKP and out
KP are total input and output power.
1.2.3 Average Inversion Model
This model compute the gain and noise figure at other wavelengths from a computation of the average inversion from a measured reference spectrum and cross section ratio.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
6
1.2.4 Higher Erbium Concentration Model
The higher +3rE ion concentration model require additional modeling terms which
account for concentration quenching or ion-ion interaction and ESA.
The concentration of +3rE ion increase in fiber leads to undesirable effect like cooperative
up-conversion and pair induced quenching. The ion- ion interaction effects limits the concentration of erbium ions in silica matrix.
Signal or pump excited state absorption is possible in EDF due to presence of other energy levels in erbium energy levels. These other energy levels in erbium can absorb signal or pump photon to higher energy level. This effect can be depletes the population inversion and also gain.
1.3 EDFA Characteristics
1.3.1 Overlap Factor of Amplifier
Consider one dimensional model of the fiber amplifier, the overlap factor is known as
overlap between transverse intensity profile of optical mode and transverse erbium ion
distribution profile. This overlap will stimulate absorption or emission from the transitions.
If we consider a single mode cylindrical geometry optical fiber with constant area and
erbium ion density, the overlapping is shown in figure 1.4
Figure 1.4 : Overlap between erbium ion distribution and transverse intensity profile
The Overlap factor is
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
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−=Γ
−2
2
1 ωR
e (1.5)
where R is the erbium doped radius in fiber and is the spot size of the beam. The spot size
ω will vary with frequency, the overlap factor will be depends on frequency of the mode.
1.3.2 Optimum Length of EDF
The input signal is amplified along the length of the EDF at fixed pump power upto a
specific point, after that point the gain is negative, and so the fiber should be terminated at the
point. At this point the pump power is decreased to the threshold level. The length of the fiber at
that specific point determine optimum length of EDF for EDFA. The optimum length at
maximum gain is shown in figure 1.5
Figure 1.5 : Optimum length at maximum gain
1.3.3 Small Signal Gain
The signal field and pump field with corresponding intensities Is and Ip, are propagated
simultaneously in EDF and interact with ions in the fiber. Due to this interactions variations are
occurred in signal intensity and pump intensity, they are given by
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
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NI
hI
hI
hI
dzdI
SS
P
PP
S
SS
P
PP
s σ
νσ
νσν
σ
++Γ
Γ−=
221
21
(1.6)
NI
hI
hIh
I
dzdI
PP
P
PP
S
SS
S
SS
P σ
νσ
νσ
νσ
++Γ
+Γ−=
221
21
(1.7)
If thP II > , the threshold condition for gain, for propagation of signal field.
2τσν
P
PthP
hII =≥ (1.8)
where Ith is the pump threshold intensity
The normalized intensities are given by
th
PP I
II ='
(1.9)
th
SS I
II ='
(1.10)
The quantity η and saturation intensity Isat(Z) as
P
S
S
P
hh
σσ
ννη =
(1.11)
( ) ( )
η21 ' ZIZI P
sat+
= (1.12)
The normalized variation of signal intensity and pump intensity as
( )( )
( )( ) ( )NzIzIzI
zIzIdzzdI
SSP
P
satS
S ''
'
'
'
11
)(11 σ
+−
+=
(1.13)
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
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( ) ( )( ) ( ) ( )NzI
zIzIzI
dzzdI
PPPS
SP '''
'
211 ση
η++
+−=
(1.14)
The condition for small signal gain is satisfied, when satS II << , at this sate the signal propagation along the length of the fiber is
( ) )exp()0('' zIzI PSS α= (1.15)
where the gain coefficient defined as
NS
P
PP σα
11
'
'
+Ι−Ι
= (1.16)
We can see that the signal gain grows exponentially, with a coefficient proportional to the signal emission cross section and degree of population inversion.
1.3.4 Gain Saturation Region
In gain saturation region, the signal growth is linear. This occurs when the signal 'SI
grows to a large value comparable to satI . The signal growth is then damped by the saturation
factor,satS II '1
1+
The ratio of 'SI and satI becomes large compared to unity, 1
'
>>sat
S
II
The growth of signal in saturation region is determined by
N
III
dzdI
SP
Psat
S σ
+−
=11'
(1.17)
satI is linearly dependent with pump power, then signal saturation is varied with pump power.
The saturation output power is inversely proportional to emission cross section of fiber,
this causes the saturation power higher at 1550 nm than at 1530 nm.
The experimentally determined saturation output power is defined as the signal output
power at which the gain has been reduced by 3 dB.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
10
1.3.5 Amplified Spontaneous Emission
It is a parasitic process, which can occur at any frequency within the fluorescence
spectrum of the amplifier transitions. The effect of ASE is to reduce the total amount of gain
available from the amplifier.
The excited ions can spontaneously relax from the upper state to ground state by emitting
a photon that is uncorrelated with the signal photons. The spontaneously emitted signal is
amplified, it travels along the fiber and it stimulates the emission of more photons from exicted
state. This process is known as ASE. The ASE power sometimes referred to as an equivalent
noise power.
For a single transverse mode fiber with two independent polarizations for a given mode at
frequency ν, the noise power in a bandwidth Δν, corresponding to spontaneous emission, is equal
to
ν∆= hPASE 20 (1.18)
The total ASE power at a point z along the fiber is the sum of the ASE power from the
prevision sections of the fiber and added local noise power 0ASEP .This local noise power will
stimulate the emission of photons from excited erbium ions.
The propagation equation for the ASE power propagating in a given direction is thus
( ) ( )( ) ( )( )( ) ( ) ( ) ( )( )νσνννσνσν e
ASEASEaeASE NPPNN
dzdP
20
12 +−= (1.19)
1.4 High Power Amplifier
The gain of EDF is determined by erbium ions density in the fiber, then gain is increased
by adding extra erbium ions. But, after a particular level of doping the concentration quenching
effect is occure in EDF. This is due to reduce the gain of amplifier.
We want higher amplified power in range of Watts, then use Ytterbium Co-doped with
Erbium fiber. The Yb ions around Er ions prevent the concentration quenching. Then We will
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
11
get higher amplified output power. In EYCDFA the Yb ions are pumped at 800-1100nm
wavelengths. The Yb ions transfer energy to the Er ions and Er ions are excited to higher energy
state. The stimulated emission of Er ions fom metastable state give higher output power.
1.5 Motivations & Contributions
According to the previous literature survey, the Erbium doped fiber (EDF) is a reliable
gain media for lasers and amplifiers. The selection of appropriate pump wavelength sources are
very crucial.
Erbium ions exhibit a very narrow absorption bands, 10 nm at 980 nm for 3 level system
and 1480 nm for 2 level system. This is due to the selection of pump source for the amplifier is
limited to InGaAs laser diode and Titanium Sapphire (Ti:S) laser source which operate within
these wavelength region. The small absorption cross section of erbium ions is not suitable for
high power amplifications due to the limitation of ions concentrations inside fibers.
Throughout this work, the suitable parameters to operate the EDFA have been identified.
This leads to optimized output obtained by the amplifier.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
12
Chapter 2
EDFA Components & Characterization
2.1 Components used in EDFA configuration
2.1.1 Pump Laser Diode
A laser diode, or LD, is an electrically pumped semiconductor laser in which the active
laser medium is formed by a p-n junction of a semiconductor diode similar to that found in a
light-emitting diode.
A laser diode is electrically a P-i-n diode. The active region of the laser diode is in the
intrinsic (I) region, and the carriers, electrons and holes, are pumped into it from the N and P
regions respectively. All modern lasers use the double-heterostructure implementation, where the
carriers and the photons are confined in order to maximize their chances for recombination and
light generation. The goal for a laser diode is that all carriers recombine in the I region, and
produce light. Thus, laser diodes are fabricated using direct bandgap semiconductors.
Diagram of a simple laser diode shown in figure 2.1
Figure 2.1 :Diagram of simple Laser Diode
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
13
The commonly used pump laser source for optical amplifiers are
980 nm – InGaAs
1480 nm – InGaAsP
2.1.2 Super Luminescent Light Emitting Diode : SLED (Signal Source)
A superluminescent diode (SLED or SLD) is an edge-emitting semiconductor light
source based on superluminescence. Its output is high power and brightness with the low
coherence, and emission bandwidth is 5–100 nm wide.
A superluminescent light emitting diode is, similar to a laser diode, based on an
electrically driven PN-junction that, when biased in forward direction becomes optically active
and generates amplified spontaneous emission over a wide range of wavelengths. The peak
wavelength and the intensity of the SLED depend on the active material composition and on the
injection current level. The basic structure of SLED is shown in figure 2.2 .
Figure 2.2 : Common structure of superluminescent diode
A SLED consists of a positive (p-doped) section and a negative (n-doped) section,
electrical current will flow from the p-section to the n-section and across the active region that is
sandwiched in between the p- and n-section. During this process, light is generated through
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
14
spontaneous and random recombination of positive (holes) and negative (electrons) electrical
carriers and then amplified when travelling along the waveguide of a SLED.
The PN-junction of the semiconductor material of a SLED is designed in such a way that
electrons and holes feature a multitude of possible states (energy bands) with different energies.
Therefore, the recombination of electron and holes generates light with a broad range of optical
frequencies, i.e. broadband light.
2.1.3 Wavelength Division Multiplexer/De-multiplexer
Wavelength division multiplexing is a technology for combine number of different
wavelength signals into a single optical fiber and vice versa. This technique enables bidirectional
communication, and it effectively use the transmission capacity of optical fiber.
The WDM working principle is same as that of directional coupler. In optical fiber
directional coupler , the modal fields of a fiber extends beyond the core cladding interface. If two
fibers are close enough their modal fields overlap and there can be periodic coupling of power
between the two fibers. The mode have equal propagation constant, then power transfer can be
complete.
A directional coupler formed by two identical symmetric single mode planar waveguides
then the coupled system can be viewed as a single waveguide with two cores. The propagation
constants of the two modes of such a system would be different. Power incident on one
waveguide excites a linear combination of symmetric and antisymmetric modes. Due to
difference in their propagation constants the modes develop a phase difference. When the
accumulated phase difference is π superposition of the modes result in cancellation of the mode
in first waveguide and adding of power in the second. When the phase difference is π2 the total
power appears in the first waveguide. Thus periodic exchange of power takes place between the
waveguides.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
15
Figure 2.3 :symmetricand antisymmetric mode of the combined wave guides
Figure 2.4 : Coupling of power in waveguides
Consider the power exchange between two single mode fibers that are non-identical
supporting LP01 modes having 1 and 2 as the propagation constants. If P1(0) is the power
launched into the fiber 1 at z = 0, then at any z the power propagating in the two fibers are given
by
( )( ) zK
PzP
γγ
22
2
1
1 sin10
−= (2.1)
( )( ) zK
PzP
γγ
22
2
1
2 sin0
= (2.2)
Where ( )222
41 βγ ∆+= K
21 βββ −=∆
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
16
The K is called coupling coefficient and is a measure of strength of the coupling between
two fibers. The value of the coupling coefficient depends on the separation between the cores,
wavelength of operation and fiber parameters. The parameter β∆ is referred to as the phase
mismatch. For 0=∆β , the phase matched case the minimum distance (coupling length) for
which the power is completely transferred from one fiber to the other fiber is given by
K
Lz C 2π
== (2.3)
If 0≠∆β the power transfer is incomplete.
Let us consider a coupler of length L made of identical fibers and let 1K and 2K be the
coupling coeffcients at 1λ and 2λ so that K1L= mπ and π212 −= mLK . So if 1λ and 2λ are
launched into the input fiber simultaneously then
( ) ( ) 0sin, 12
112 == LKPLP λ
Thus the light of wavelength 1λ will exit from the input fiber and that of wavelength 2λ
will exit the other fiber. Such a device forms a de-multiplexer and in the opposite direction it can
form a multiplexer.
2.1.4 Isolator
In fiber optic network, most of the reflections are harmful to the stability of the system. If
back reflected and scattered light enter into the laser, the lasing process will fluctuate and the
output power of the laser will varied. This problem will be avoided with the proper isolation
between the components by use isolators.
Optical isolators are device, it transport light only in one direction and prevent the
reflections and scattered light from sensitive components, particularly lasers.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
17
The main component of the optical isolator is the Faraday rotator. The magnetic field,
applied to the Faraday rotator causes a rotation in the polarization of the light due to the Faraday
effect. The angle of rotation β , is given by
Bdνβ = (2.4)
where, ν is the Verdet constant of the material, and d is the length of the rotator.
Polarization dependent isolator
The polarization dependent isolator, or Faraday isolator, is made of three parts, an input
polarizer (polarized vertically), a Faraday rotator, and an output polarizer, called an analyser
(polarized at 45°).
Light traveling in the forward direction becomes polarized vertically by the input
polarizer. The Faraday rotator will rotate the polarization by 45°. The analyser then enables the
light to be transmitted through the isolator.
Light traveling in the backward direction becomes polarized at 45° by the analyser. The
Faraday rotator will again rotate the polarization by 45°. This means the light is polarized
horizontally .Since the polarizer is vertically aligned, the light will be extinguished.
Figure 2.5 shows a Faraday rotator with an input polarizer, and an output analyser.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
18
Figure 2.5 : Polarization dependent isolator with Farady rotator, polarizer and analyzer
Polarization dependent isolators are typically used in free space optical systems. This is
because the polarization of the source is typically maintained by the system. In optical fibre
systems, the polarization direction is typically dispersed in non polarization maintaining systems.
Hence the angle of polarization will lead to a loss.
Polarization independent isolator
The polarization independent isolator is made of three parts, an input birefringent wedge
(with its ordinary polarization direction vertical and its extraordinary polarization direction
horizontal), a Faraday rotator, and an output birefringent wedge (with its ordinary polarization
direction at 45°, and its extraordinary polarization direction at −45°).
Light traveling in the forward direction is split by the input birefringent wedge into its
vertical (0°) and horizontal (90°) components, called the ordinary ray (o-ray) and the
extraordinary ray (e-ray) respectively. The Faraday rotator rotates both the o-ray and e-ray by
45°. This means the o-ray is now at 45°, and the e-ray is at −45°. The output birefringent wedge
then recombines the two components.
Light traveling in the backward direction is separated into the o-ray at 45, and the e-ray at
−45° by the birefringent wedge. The Faraday Rotator again rotates both the rays by 45°. Now the
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
19
o-ray is at 90°, and the e-ray is at 0°. Instead of being focused by the second birefringent wedge,
the rays diverge.
Figure 2.6 :Polarization independent isolator
Figure 2.6 shows the propagation of light through a polarization independent isolator.
The forward travelling light is shown in blue, and the backward propagating light is shown in
red.
2.1.5 Circulator
An optical circulator is a special fiber-optic component that can be used to direct the
optical signals from one port to another port and in one direction only. This action prevent the
signal from unwanted directions.
In a 3-port circulator a signal is transmitted from port 1 to port 2, another signal is
transmitted from port 2 to port 3 and, finally, a third signal can be transmitted from port 3 to port
1.
This action is shown in figure 2.8 and 2.9
Figure 2.7 Conventional figure to represent the behavior of an optical circulator.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
20
Figure 2.7 : Behavior of an optical circulator
Figure 2.8 : Configuration of a 3 port optical circulator from port 1 to 2 transmission
Figure 2.9 : Configuration of a 3 port optical circulator from port 2 to 3 transmission
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
21
The input signal from port 1 is split into o-ray (00) and e-ray (900) by a birefringent plate
and the faraday rotator rotates both wave by 450 , and the birefringent plate at port 2 is
recombine the 2 components. This operation is shown in figure 2.8
The light input from port 2, that light goes through the process described before and after
the second birefringent plate, the rays are combined by using a reflector and beam splitter.
We consider the application of a Fiber-Bragg grating compensator to select a particular
wavelength signal. This can also be done using a three-port optical circulator as shown in the
following figure 2.10
Figure 2.10 : Circulator used to drop an optical channel from a WDM system using a Fiber
Bragg Grating
2.1.6 Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)
A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is a type of distributed Bragg reflector constructed in a short
segment of optical fiber that reflects particular wavelengths of light and transmits all others.
A fiber Bragg grating can therefore be used as an inline optical filter to block certain
wavelengths, or as a wavelength-specific reflector.
Fiber Bragg Gratings are made by laterally exposing the core of a single-mode fiber to a
periodic pattern of intense ultraviolet light. The exposure produces a permanent increase in the
refractive index of the fiber's core, creating a fixed index modulation according to the exposure
pattern. This fixed index modulation is called a grating.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
22
At each periodic refraction change a small amount of light is reflected. All the reflected
light signals combine coherently to one large reflection at a particular wavelength when the
grating period is approximately half the input light's wavelength. This is referred to as the Bragg
condition, and the wavelength at which this reflection occurs is called the Bragg wavelength.
Light signals at wavelengths other than the Bragg wavelength, which are not phase matched, are
essentially transparent. This principle is shown in Figure 2.11
Figure 2.11 : Fiber Bragg Grating structure, Refractive index profile and spectral response
Therefore, light propagates through the grating with negligible attenuation or signal
variation. Only those wavelengths that satisfy the Bragg condition are affected and strongly
back-reflected. The ability to accurately preset and maintain the grating wavelength is a
fundamental feature and advantage of fiber Bragg gratings.
The central wavelength of the reflected component satisfies the Bragg relation is
Λ= effB n2λ (2.5)
where
neff = effective refractive index of the fiber core
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
23
=Λ grating period of the index of refraction of the FBGthe wavelength of the reflected
component will also change as function of temperature and/or strain.
The parameters neff and Λ depends to the temperature and strain,
2.2 Characterization of EDFA Components
2.2.1 Pump Laser Diode
The pump laser diode operate at 980nm wavelength. It act as a pump source in EDFA
experiment. The peak wavelength of the pump LD is 975.97nm with spectral width is 0.2nm.
The lasing action start at the drive current of 45mA. The relation between drive current versus
output power is shown in figure 2.12
Figure 2.12 : Pump LD characteristics
2.2.2 Super Luminescent Light Emitting Diode (SLED)
It is a broadband light source, operate with wavelength from 1520nm to 1580nm. The
EDFA input signals 1550nm and 1570nm are derived from this SLED source with FBG.
The lasing action of SLED start at drive current of 40mA. The characteristics curve of
input drive current versus output power is shown in figure 2.13
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
24
Figure 2.13 : SLD characteristics
The output spectrum of SLED with drive current of 50mA is shown in figure 2.14
Figure 2.14 : SLED output spectrum obtained from OSA
2.2.3 Isolator
Isolator is a two port optical component, it allow propagation of light only in one
direction. It mainly used for avoid reflections from the opposite direction.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
25
Figure 2.15 : Experimental setup for characterize isolator
This figure shows the experimental setup for characterize isolator. In this configuration
isolator is connected as forward configuration, for measure insertion loss.
The isolator is connected in reverse direction, for measure isolation between port 2 and 1.
The isolation between the input and output port is 32.05dB and insertion loss of around
0.44dB.
2.2.4 Circulator
The principle of operation of circulator is same as that of isolator. It allows transmission
of signals from port 1 to 2 and port 2 to 3 only, not in other directions.
Figure 2.16 : Experimental setup for characterize circulator
The table 2.1 Shows insetion and isolation between ports in circulator
Insertion Loss (dB)
Isolation (dB)
Port 1 to 2 = 0.83
Port 2 to 1 = 59.30
Port 2 to 3 = 0.80
Port 3 to 2 = 60.04
Table 2.1 : Experimental result of circulator characterization
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
26
2.2.5 WDM Coupler
The WDM has two input port 1550nm signal port and 980nm pump port, and one
common output port. The below table 2.2 shows insertion loss and isolation between ports of
WDM coupler
Figure 2.17 : Experimental setup for characterize WDM
Insertion Loss (dB)
Isolaton (dB)
1550nm port to common port = 0.89
1550nm port to 980nm port = 57.75
Common port to 1550nm port = 0.97
Common port to 980nm port = 24.23
Table 2.2 : Experimental result of WDM coupler characterization
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
27
Chapter 3
Design, Modeling& characterization of EDFA
3.1 MODELING OF EDFA
The EDFA mathematical model was designed using Matlab with the help of Giles
parameter. The EDFA software simulation modeling and simulation done by Gain master
software. The two different EDFA configurations are analyzed using 7m and 13m EDF, and
analysis was done for two different wavelengths 1550 nm and 1570nm. The models are
described below.
3.2 EDFA Rate Equations
The Erbium doped fiber amplifier design start by considering a pure three level atomic
system. Most of the important characteristics can be obtained from this model. The rate equation
can also be made more complex by considering the effects such as excited state absorption and
the three dimensional character of the problem. For reduce the complication of EDFA model
design the basic three level system is convert to two level system, assuming that the upper pump
level and upper metastable level belongs to the same multiplet.
3.2.1 Three level rate equations
The gain model of EDFA is designed with set of coupled differential equations, because
the gain process consist of coupled atomic population and light flux propagation equations. We
will consider a pure three level atomic system for EDFA at 1550nm. The most important
characteristics of EDFA can be obtained from this model. The importance to absorption and
emission cross sections, and the difference between the two at a given transition wavelength, and
also consider the concept of overlap parameter.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
28
Figure 3.1 : EDFA as a 3 level system,
The 3 level system is shown in figure 3.1
The ground state denoted as 1, an intermediate state 3 at which energy is pumped, and
metastable state 2. Since the metastable state often a long life in the case of good amplifier.
The state 2 is upper level of amplifying transition and state 1 is the lower level. The
population of the levels are labeled as N1, N2 and N3.The population inversion between level 1
to 2 is achieved by pumping for amplification.
The one dimensional solution of coupled differential equations are obtained by assume
the pump field , signal field intensities and the Erbium ion distribution are constant in transverse
dimensions, over an effective cross sectional area of the fiber
The incident pump field due to transition from level 1 to 3 and the incident signal field
due to transition transition from level 1 to 2. The population of each level is growing from
absorption of photons from incident fields.
The 32Γ is the sum of nonradiative and radiative transition probabilities from level 3 to 2,
is mostly nonradiative. The is mostly radiative transitions, in this case erbium transitions will
occur (level 2) to (level 1). The definition of , where is the life time of erbium ions in
metastable state.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
29
The absorption cross section for level 1 to 3 denoted as and emission cross section for
level 2 to 1 is denoted as .
The rate equation for population changes as
( ) PPNNNdt
dN σφ313323 −+Γ−= (3.1)
( ) SPNNNN
dtdN σφ12332221
2 −−Γ+Γ−= (3.2)
( ) ( ) SPPP NNNNN
dtdN σφσφ 1231221
1 −+−−Γ= (3.3)
In steady state condition, the rate equations becomes
The total population N is derived by
N=N1+N2+N3 (3.4)
The population of level 3 is obtained from equation 3.1 as
PP
Nσφ32
3 11
Γ+=
(3.5)
The value of N3 is nearly zero, because 32Γ is very large, due to fast decay from level 3 to
level 2.
The equation 3.4 used to derive the population inversion as
Ν
++ΓΓ−
=Ν−ΝPPSS
PP
σφσφσφ
221
2112
(3.6)
When N2 > N1, the population inversion is achieved, and amplification of signal is
occurred in level 2 to 1 transition.
When N1 =N2, it is the threshold condition. The threshold pump flux is
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
30
PPth στσφ
2
21 1=
Γ=
(3.7)
The threshold pump intensity is
2
21
τσν
σν
P
P
P
Pth
hhI =Γ
= (3.8)
The conditions for lower number of pump photons to reach threshold are
1. Higner pump absorption cross section
2. The longer life time in metastable state
In erbium, the life time has large value of nearly 10ms in silica glass.
The ultra low pump threshold is one of the main advantage of erbium doped single mode
fiber amplifiers.
3.2.2 Two level rate equations
Figure 3.2 : EDFA as a 2 level system
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
31
In order to model the basic characteristics of erbium doped fiber amplifier the three level
system was reduced into a 2 level system assuming that the upper pump level and the upper
amplifier level belong to same multiplet. The rate equation for multiplets 1 and 2 are
( ) ( )( ) ( ) ( )( ) Pe
Pa
PSe
Sa
S NNNNNdt
dN φσσφσσ 21212212 −−−+Γ−= (3.8)
( )( ) ( ) ( )( ) Pe
Pa
PSa
Se
S NNNNNdt
dN φσσφσσ 211)(
22211 −−−+Γ= (3.9)
The Total population density N is given by
N=N1+N2
(3.10)
We have,
dt
dNdt
dN 21 −= (3.11)
From the above rate equation we can calculate N2 as
( )
( ) ( )( )
( )
( ) ( )( ) ( ) ( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( ) 1
2
+Γ+
+Γ+
+Γ+
Γ+Γ+Γ=
ΡΡΑ
ΡΡΑ
∑
∑
PAh
jPAh
PAh
PAh
jPAh
PAh
zN
P
eP
aP
jj
ej
aj
SSS
eS
aS
P
aP
jj
aj
SSS
aS
νσστν
νσστ
νσστ
ντσν
ντσ
ντσ
ννν
νν
(3.12)
where )()()( jPjPjP AAA ννν −+ +=
3.3 Equations used for modeling
The field propagation equations can also be written in terms of the field powers. These
equations contains overlap parameters, because overlap part between erbium ion distribution and
optical mode determine gain or attenuation. We also consider the possible intrinsic background
loss parameters in the fiber ( )0aPα , ( )0a
Sα and ( )0avjα
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
32
( ) ( )( ) ( )
ΡΡΡΡΡΡΡ −Γ−= PPNN
dzdP aae 0
12 ασσ (3.13)
( ) ( )( ) ( )
Sa
SSSa
Se
SS PPNN
dzdP 0
12 ασσ −Γ−= (3.14)
( ) ( ) ( )( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )jPhNjPNNdz
jdP ajjjS
ejS
aj
ej νανσνσσν
ννννν+Α
+Α
+Α −∆Γ+Γ−= 0
212 (3.15)
( ) ( ) ( )( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )jPhNjPNNdz
jdP ajjjS
ejS
aj
ej ναννσνσσν
νννν−Α
−Α
−Α +∆Γ−Γ−−= 0
212 (3.16)
The model becomes more accurate, when the frequency spectrum channels are chosen to
be very small about 1nm. The ASE power at spectrum jν is sum of forward ASE and backward
ASE. The forward propagating ASE calculated with an input power of 0 at z=0 and backward
propagating ASE calculated with an input power of 0 at z=L, where L is the length of the fiber.
3.4 Amplifier Matlab Modeling with M-12 Generic Fiber using Giles Parameters
The amplifier modeling with Giles parameter can be used to calculate gain and ASE of a
simple two level system model without emission and absorption cross sections. The field
propagation equations can be write in terms of Giles parameters, such as Erbium absorption
coefficient α(λ), gain coefficient g*(λ), fiber saturation parameter ζ and excess loss in the fiber
due to scattering and impurity absorption l(λ).
The equations from 3.13 to 3.16 are rewrite according to Giles parameters
The population inversion as
1)()()(
)()()(
)(),()()(
***2
++
++
++
++=
∑
∑
zPh
gjPjhg
zPh
g
zPh
zjPjh
zPhzN
PP
PPA
jjS
S
SS
PP
PA
jS
S
S
νζαν
νζα
νζα
νζαν
νζα
νζα
νν
ν
(3.17)
The field propagation equations are
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
33
( ) PPPPP
P PlPNgNNdz
dP−−= α1
*2
1 (3.18)
( ) SSSSS
S PlPNgNNdz
dP−−= α1
*2
1 (3.19)
( ) )(2)(1)( *
21*
2 jPlhgNjPNgNNdz
jdPAjjjjAjj
A ννναν
ννννν++
+
−∆+−= (3.20)
( ) )(2)(1)( *
2*
21 jPlhgNvjPgNNNdz
vjdPAvjvjjvjAvjvj
A ννα ++−
−∆+−= (3.21)
These modified propagation equations are used to model the mathematical model of
EDFA, we will get gain and ASE by simulate these equations with Matlab.
The field propagation equations are coupled differential equations, it is a two point
boundary value problem. Each equations have a initial conditions based on propagation
direction. Consider a EDF has length ‘L’ for amplifier modeling. So that, all fields are propagate
total distance L from z=0 to z=L. Then accumulate all field values from z=0 to z=L gives final
value of the field waves.
At the input of the EDF, we know the applied pump signal power (Pp) and input signal
power (Ps) for amplification, that is the initial values of Pp and Ps. The launched pump power
into the fiber is ( ) 00 pP PzP == and input signal power is 0)0( Ss PzP == for amplification. The
forward ASE initial power at z=0 was considered as zero. Now, we know initial values of signal,
pump, and forward ASE. Then these equations are integrated from z=0 to z=L, We got final
values of all parameters at z=L. This analysis is first forward simulation. At this step don’t
consider Backward ASE, because we don’t know the value of backward ASE at z=L.
The next step is first backward simulation. At this step consider all final values, we
assume final value of backward ASE is equal to zero at z=0. The all set of equations are
integrated backward from z=L to z=0 to obtain the value of backward ASE at z=0. Then again
repeat the forward and backward integration with backward ASE values.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
34
The forward and backward simulation is repeated many times until a constant solution
was obtained.
Table 3.1 : M-12 Generic fiber parameters used in Matlab simulation
Parameters
Values
A 3 610−× m2
N 1.6 2510× ions/m2 ( )eSσ 40118853 2510−× m2
)(ePσ
25100810563.0 −× m2 ( )aSσ 2.910556 3410−× m2 ( )aPσ 2.7876712 2510−× m2
τ 10.2 310−× S
Pα 2.4 dB/Km
Sα 2dB/Km
δ 3100 GHz (25nm)
ζ 8.5 1510× m-1s-1
The table 3.1 shows parameters provided by the EDF manufacturer. These parameters
can be used for simulations. The modified field equations are used to simulate the characteristics
of EDFA. The result obtained after simulation is shown below and the Matlab code is provided
in appendix.
The result of simulation is compared with the experimental values. This simulation
neglect the Excited State Absorption (EAS), Complex effects and inhomogeneities in the erbium
ion distribution etc.
The figures 3.3 and 3.4 shows that the pump power and output amplified signal. The
pump power decreases exponentially and output signal power increases, corresponding to the
fiber length variations. The maximum amplified output signal is obtained at the EDF length 7
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
35
meter. After that this EDF length, the attenuation is started, because upper level population is
reduced to low level.
The Gain in dB of the output amplified signal is shown in figure 3.5
The forward ASE spectrum is available at the output of the amplifier is shown in figure
3.6. It is considered as a unwanted broadband noise signal. It reduce the gain and efficiency of
the amplifier. The shape of the ASE spectrum depends on absorption emission cross sections and
length of the fiber.
The backward ASE his always higher than forward ASE, because it generated near the
pump source. The backward ASE is shown in figure 3.7
The figure 3.8 shows the variation of noise figure with pump power. The minimum
possible noise figure at 400mW is 4.5 dB in this simulation.
Figure 3.3 : Variation of signal power along the length of the fiber
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
36
Figure 3.4 : Variation of pump power along the length of the fiber
Figure 3.5 : Signal gain in dB along the length of the fiber
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
37
Figure 3.6 : Forward ASE spectrum along the length of the fiber
Figure 3.7 : Backward ASE spectrum along the length of the fiber
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
38
Figure 3.8 : Variation of Noise Figure with Pump Power
3.6 Simulations using Gain Master: GILES MODEL
Fiber amplifier simulations are possible with different types of softwares. Some examples
are RP Fiber, OptSim, Gain Master (EDF forFibercore Pvt.Ltd ), OptiSystem etc..
An M-12 Generic fiber which is a product of Fibercore, the EDFA was designed with
Gain Master software, it can be used to optimize EDF length for maximum gain and pump power
for corresponding maximum gain. The Gain master also can be used to analysis different method
of pumping direction in EDF for maximum gain at optimum length.
The Gain Master used Giles Model equations and parameters for simulation. This
simulation used erbium pump absorption around 980nm and erbium signal emission around
1550nm are shown in figure 3.9
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
39
Figure 3.9 : Giles Parameters
3.7 Optimization of EDFA Parameters
3.7.1 EDF Length
Length Output Power
6 76.087
7 76.402
8 74.448
9 71.434
10 67.881
Table 3.2 :EDFA output power with respect to EDF length
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
40
Figure 3.10 : Variation of output signal power at different length EDF for input signal of 10µW
and pump power of 300mW.
The EDF is simulate at different length, that is 6-10 meters. The output signal power
variation along different length is obtained. We can see that the output is high for & meter long
fiber. So the optimum fiber length was fixed to be & meter. This 7 meter EDF used design
should give an output nearly 76 mW.
3.7.2 Signal Power
The figure 3.11 shows the variation of output power with respect to the change in input
power. We can see that the output power is saturated above 100µW input power.
Figure 3.11: Variation of output power with respect to input power
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
41
3.7.3 Pump Configuration
Figure 3.12 : Different pumping configurations used in EDFA
The EDFA is classified according to the pumping directions, there are 3 type catagery.
They are Forward pumping (Co Pumped, Backward Pumping (Counter Pumped), and
Bidirectional pumped(Dual Pumped)
In forward pumping scheme, the WDM coupler infront of the EDF is combine the input
signal and pump signal . So the input signal and pump signal propagate through the fiber in same
direction, ie mean by co pumped.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
42
In EDF, the ions are excited due to pump signal and it transfer absorbed energy to the
input signal , the the signal is amplified. The isolators are used for prevent back reflections inside
the fiber and make sure that the signal will travel only in one direction through the fiber.
In backward pumping scheme, the input signal and pump signal are propagate in the
opposite directions inside the fiber, that is mean by counter pumped.
In bidirectional pumping schem, two pump signals pumped in both directions of input
EDF. One pump signal travel with the signal in same direction and other is opposite direction of
input signal.
The total pump power is set as 300mW and input signal is 10µW. The effect of different
pumping configuration is shown in figure 3.12
Figure 3.13 : Output power for different pumping configurations
The figure 3.13 shows that the gain is maximum in Bidirectional pump configuration
more than 90mW.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
43
Figure 3.14 : Output ASE power for different pumping configurations
The figure 3.14 shows that ASE is higher value in bidirectional pumping and minimum in
forward pumping configuration. A better amplifier require very less noisy operation, then we
will consider forward pumping configuration.
3.8 EDFA Experiment
The general blok diagram of EDFA setup is shown in figure 3.15. In this experiment use
EDF with two different length 7m and 13m, and analysis the amplification of two different input
signal wavlengths 1550nm and 1570nm.
Figure 3.15 : Block diagram of EDFA experimental setup
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
44
Signal Input For EDFA
The input signals given to EDFA are at 1550nm and 1570nm. The SLED source have a
broad band spectrum ranging from 1520 nm to 1580nm . The input signal at the required
wavelengths can be derived using circulator and FBG. The configuration is shown in figure
3.16. The FBGs reflection wavelengths are 1550nm/1570nm with spectral width of 0.5nm. The
required input signal for amplification 1550nm/1570nm is available at port 3 of circulator.
Figure 3.16 : Input signal derived with FBG
3.8.1 EDFA Experimental Setup
The heart of the Erbium doped fiber amplifier is erbium doped Fiber. In this EDFA
experiment used M-12 Generic980nm Erbium doped fiber, the experiment of EDFA was
planned after the simulation and analysis of Gain Master Software which is supplied by the EDF
manufacturer Fibercore Ltd.
In this experiment the complete simulation, analysis and characterization was planned for
two different EDF length 7m and 13m,and for two different wavelength 1550nm and 1570nm.
The EDFA setup was made with other passive optical components spliced with EDF.
Then after the EDFA was characterized with different signal power, pump power, fiber length
and signal wave length.
The EDFA experimental setup is shown in figure 3.17
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
45
Figure 3.17 : EDFA experimental setup
The input section of EDFA contains input isolator, WDM coupler and pump LD. The
input isolator’s output fiber pigtail and pump laser source’s output fiber pigtail is spliced to
corresponding input fiber pigtail port of WDM coupler permanently, and also ensure that the
quality of splice is good. After splicing the splice loss was measured by splicing machine, it was
about 0.05 db. The other end of the input isolator contains a optical connector for connecting
input optical signal from SLD. The main active optical component EDF was taken at the
predefined length from fiber spool and wound on a bobbin. The one end of the EDF was spliced
with the common fiber pigtail port of WDM coupler and other end spliced with output isolator’s
input fiber pigtail. The output port of output isolator is connected to optical connector for taken
amplified output signal.
The pump LD was spliced to the 980nm fiber pigtail port of WDM coupler. The pump
LD is mounted on a LD driver board. The LD driver board and other components are mounted
on a ESD pad and kept in undisturbed condition. This setup was used for other EDF length by
replacing the EDF only. This EDFA experiment was characterized by different parameters such
as signal power, signal wavelength, pump power and EDF length.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
46
3.8.2 Amplification
The input signal wavelength 1550nm with different powers are applied to EDFA,with
different EDF length 7m and 13m. This same configuration is applied to 1570nm input signal.
The amplified output Spectrum of 10µW input signal, available from the OSA are given
from figure 3.18 to figure 3.21. The observation from this OSA graph, we can see that the higher
amplification possible with EDF length 7m for 1550nm signal.
The 1550nm signal has more gain compared 1570nm signal. The peak power from the
output spectrum at wavelength 1549.82 is 3.528mW at marker1.
The noise floor (Pnoise) is also obtained from this graph at markers 2 and 3.
The Gain calculation in dB is
−=
in
noisesignal
PPP
dBGain log10)( (3.22)
where Pin is the input signal power
Figure 3.18 : Amplified output for 7m EDF for 1550nm
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
47
Figure 3.19 : Amplified output for 13m EDF for 1550nm
Figure 3.20 : Amplified output for 7m EDF for 1570nm
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
48
Figure 3.21 : Amplified output for 13m EDF for 1570nm
3.8.3 EDFA Gain Characteristics
The EDFA gain variations with respect to EDF length, input signal power, pump power
and input signal wave lengths are described below.
Figure 3.22 shows that the gain variation for different input signals with wavelength
1550nm in 7m EDF. We can obtained the maximum gain is about 35dB at 20µW input signal
power.
Figure 3.22 : Variation of Gain for different input power in 7m EDF in 1550nm input
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
49
The EDF with 13m, gain variation for different input signals with wavelength 1550nm is
shown in figure 3.23. We can observe that the gain of 13m EDF used EDFA is less than 7m.
Figure 3.23 : Variation of Gain for different input power in 13m EDF in 1550nm input
The different input signals with 1570nm gain variation in 7m EDF is shown in
figure3.24. It can be seen that, the gain of 1570nm wavelength signal is less than that of 1550nm
wavelength signal.
Figure 3.24 : Variation of Gain for different input power in 7m EDF in 1570nm input
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
50
The gain variation of different input signals with wavelength of 1570nm in 13m EDF is
shown in figure 3.25
Figure 3.25 : Variation of Gain for different input power in 13m EDF in 1570nm input
The figure 3.26 shows the gain variation of 7m and 13m EDF for 1550nm input signal
with power of 10µW. We can observe that the gain is higher in 7m EDF compared to 13m EDF.
Figure 3.26: Comparison of Gain in 7m &13m EDF for1550nm input power of 10µW and pump
power 300mW
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
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The gain variation related to wavelength of input signals 1550nm and 1570nm are shown
in figure 3.27. We can see that the gain is maximum available at 1550nm signals.
Figure 3.27 : Comparison of Gain at 1550nm & 1570nm input signal for 7m EDF with 10µW
input
Comparison of Simulations and Experimental values
The figure 3.28 shows the comparison of Gain Master simulation, Matlab Simulation and
experimental values, using 7m EDF for 1550nm wavelength.
The Matlab program coded with available Giles parameters and not include. The ESA
effects, excess losses in the wavelengths. The software simulation obtained by Gain Master. The
experimental data has same response with constant gain differences compared to simulations.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
52
Figure 3.28 : Comparison of EDFA output of Experimental, Matlab simulation and Gain master
simulation for 10μW input with wavelength 1550nm.
3.8.4 EDFA ASE Characteristics
The spectral response of forward ASE and backward ASE without input signal in 7m
EDF is shown in figure 3.26 and 3.27.
Figure 3.29 : Forward ASE of EDF 7m without input
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
53
The forward ASE for 7m fiber pumped at 200mW without input signal. The spectrum
shape of the forward ASE is varied with pump power, after certain pump power spectrum
maintain a constant shape. Now, it has 2 peak, the maximum peak is 28.456µW at 1531.3nm
wavelength and other is 25.67µW at 1557nm wavelength.
Figure 3.30 : Backward ASE of 7m EDF without input
The backward ASE for 7m fiber pumped at 200mW without input signal. the maximum
peak is 62.55µW at 1530.6nm wavelength.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
54
Figure 3.31 : Forward ASE of EDF 7m with input
The forward ASE for 7m fiber pumped at 300mW with signal input of 10µW is shown in figure
3.27. A peak at 1550nm is observed, that is the amplified input signal.
3.8.5 Noise Figure
The noise figure (NF) calculated from the available OSA spectrum. The 3dB bandwidth of the
amplified signal spectrum is represented as Δµ.
The gain in dB from equation 3.22 denoted as ‘g’.
The noise figure calculation is
( )
+
∆−
=Ggh
gPpdBNFs
noisenoise 110νν (3.23)
Where SnoiseP is the input signal noise floor
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
55
3.8.6 Noise Figure Characteristics
The noise figure of the EDFA experiment is shown in figure 3.28 for 1550nm and 3.29
for 1570nm inputs.
The OSA measurement not give absolute power of the measured signals. For actual
measurement the output of the amplifier has to be calibrated with power meter. The OSA and
power meter measurement difference is known as offset. The offset value is calculated before the
analysis of data.
Figure 3.32: Noise figure for 1550nm signal
l
Figure 3.33: Noise figure for 1570nm signal
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
56
3.9 Experimental Data Analysis
1. The optimum length of EDF is 7m for maximum gain.
2. The 7m EDF with forward pump configuration generate less noisy output.
3. The 1550nm wavelength has higher gain due to high emission cross section.
4. The maximum possible gain is 34.47 dB for the signal power of 20µW and pump power
of 300mw at 1550nm wavelength
5. The minimum noise figure obtained in 1550nm is 4.266 dB.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
57
Chapter 4
Modeling of EYCDFA
4.1 Theory of EYCDFA
The output power of EDFA can be increased by increase the number of erbium ions
concentration in the erbium fiber. The higher concentration of ions introduce the concentration
quench effect, which can decrease the absorption of pump light. This problem can be reduce the
gain of amplifier, increasing erbium ions above a particular level is not a solution of increasing
gain.
The amplification at 1550 nm can be increased by +3rE is co-doped with +3
bY ions, it can
suppress the concentration quench effect. These two kinds of ions with similar radius and low
solubility can form the ion clusters. The +3bY ions around +3
rE can reduce the up-conversion
probability and makes higher ion conversion. The +3bY ion has large pump absorption cross
section and wider range from 800nm to 1100nm.
Figure 4.1 : Erbium Ytterbium Transitions
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
58
The figure 4.1 shows simplified energy level transitions for EYCDF. The +3bY ions absorb
the pump power and transfer to +3rE . The energy transfer efficiency is higher than 95%, because
of large spectral overlap between +3bY emission spectrum and +3
rE absorption spectrum.
4.2 Experimental Setup for Simulation
Figure 4.2: EYCDFA Model Configuration.
By the virtue of co-doping Ytterbium with Erbium, Erbium can be doped to higher
concentrations without quenching effect for maximizing the gain. For higher Power output
EYDFA needs a Pre-amplifier which is normally an EDFA. EDFA amplifies weak signals to
power output of about hundreds of milli Watts enough to drive EYDFA. Isolator in the circuit
prevent back reflections and a high power WDM coupler is necessary to couple the pump and
signal powers. The pre-amplifier is a fixed gain amplifier which gives a gain of 23 dB.
The MOPA based EYCDFA is shown in figure 4.4, this can simulated by OptSim
software.
The EYDFA model was cladding pumped and the absorption and emission cross section
data for the model in OptSim is given below.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
59
Figure 4.3: Pump absorption of EYCDF
Figure 4.4: Signal absorption cross section of EYCDF
4.3 Optimization of EYDFA Parameters
4.3.1Pump Power
This configuration has to be optimized in terms of fiber length, pump power, and signal
power for an output of 5W. Initially the length was fixed and pump power was varied from 5W
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
60
to 20W. This was performed for 3 cases of fiber length 5 m,
10 m and 15 m. Gain was found to be more for 5 m fiber. The output requirement of 5 W was
satisfied almost when the pump power reached 18 W. This can be shown in figure 4,4
Figure 4.5 : Variation of signal power with fiber length and pump power
The output power variations corresponds to the pump power variationis shown in figure 4.5
Figure 4.6 : Output Optical Power vs Length w.r.t different pump power
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
61
4.3.2 Optimum Length
Now the pump power was fixed at 18 W and simulations for gain along the fiber.
Maximum gain was observed at 8m length of the fiber and at almost 6 m of fiber length gain
crossed 5W. The power variation corresponding to different length is shown in figure 4.6
Figure 4.7 : Signal Output Power vs Length
4.3.3 Signal Power
Now the Pump and length were fixed at 17 W and 7 m respectively and the input signal
was swept to almost 500 μW. For signal powers above 100 mW the output power condition was
met. The results are included as figures 4.6 below
Figure 4.8 : Signal Output Power vs Signal Input Power
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
62
4.3.4 Wavelength
The output power variations in different wavelength with change in pump power is
shown in figure 4.8. The maximum gain is possible above the 1550nm wavelength region.
Figure 4.9:Variation of output power with wavelength
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
63
Chapter 5
CONCLUSION
The EDFA with 7m fiber has better gain response compared to 13m fiber
and the noise effect is less in forward pumping configuration compared to other.
The signal input of 20μw with wavelength 1550nm and pump power of 300mW,
the gain is 34.47dB.
The 1550nm signal has higher gain and better noise figure with respect to
1570nm. The noise figure value of 13m fiber with input power of 10μw and pump
power of 300mW is 4.266 dB. It is the minimum noise figure achieved in the
experiment.
The MOPA configuration of EYCDFA model created in OptSim software
was simulated to obtain the EYCDF length is 6m for 5W output.
The first stage of MOPA configuration require minimum input signal power
for 5W output is 100μW with gain 21 dB.
The EYCDF length required is 6m for 5W output with pump power of 18W
and operating wavelength is above1550nm.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
64
Future Plans
The Matlab simulation of EDFA will improve with account of ESA and excess losses in
the wavelengths.
The experimentation and characterization of high power amplifier stage and will develop
the complete product.
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
65
Bibliography
A.A.M Saleh, R.M Jopson ’Modeling of Gain in Erbium Doped Amplifiers’ IEEE Photonics
Technology Letters, 1990
Cuneyt Berkdemir, Sedat Ozsoy ‘Temperature Dependent Performance Analysis of EDFAs
pumped at 1480 nm: A more accurate propagation problem’ Optic Express, vol 13, No 13, 2005
[BECKER, P. C. 2002] “Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers”, NY: Academic Press.
[Giles, C. R. and Desurvire, E. 1991] “Propagation of Signal and Noise in Concatenated Erbium
Doped Fiber Optical Amplifiers”, IEEE Journal of Light wave Technology, Vol. 9, No. 2, pp.
147-154
[Desurvire, E. 1994] “Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers”, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
[Desurvire, E. 1996] “An explicit Analytical Solution for the Transcendental Equation
Describing Saturated Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier” Optical Fiber Technology, Vol. 2, pp.
367-377.
Wangi, ‘High power er/Yb co-doped Fiber Amplifier of Fiber Length Optimization’ IEEE, 2010
Keiichi Aiso , Yoshio Tashiro , Tsuneo Suzuki and Takeshi Yagi ‘Development of Er/Yb Co-
doped Fiber for High-Power Optical Amplifiers’, Furukawa Review, No. 20 2001
Nadir Hossain1a, V. Mishra1, A.A.R. Hairul1, F.M. Abbou1, A.R. Faidz1, S. M. M. Quadir1,
M.H. Al-Mansoori1, M.A. Mahdi2 and A.W. Naji ‘A Numerical Analysis of R-EDFA for Long
Haul Optical Fiber Communication Syste4th International Conference: Sciences of Electronic,
Technologies of Information and Telecommunications March 25-29, 2007 – TUNISIA IEEE
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
66
APPENDIX
Design and Development of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers
Main Program
clc;
clear all;close all;
options = odeset('RelTol',1e-9);
Pp= 400e-3;
Ps = 10e-6;
L= 7;
% First forward Run......
[xf1,yf1] = ode45(@gain_ode_for,[0 L],[Pp Ps zeros(1,301)]);
figure(1)
plot(xf1,yf1(:,1));
title('Pump Power in first run');
figure(2)
plot(xf1,yf1(:,2));
title('signal Power in first run');
db = 10*log10(yf1(:,2)/10e-6);
figure(4)
plot(xf1,db);
title('gain in first run');
printSol(xf1,yf1,9);
m=size(yf1,1);
d = 1520e-9:0.2e-9:1580e-9;
figure(5)
plot(d,yf1(m,3:303))
title('Forward ASE in first run');
% First backward Run......
[xb1,yb1] = ode45(@gain_ode,[L 0],[yf1(m,:) zeros(1,301)]);
figure(6)
plot(xb1,yb1(:,1));
title('Pump power in first backward run');
figure(7)
plot(xb1,yb1(:,2));
title('Signal power in first backward run');
figure(3)
plot(xb1,yb1(:,3));
db = 10*log10(yb1(:,2)/10e-6);
figure(8)
plot(xb1,db);
title('Gain in first backward run');
printSol(xb1,yb1,20);
[m1 n1]=size(yb1);
figure(9)
plot(d,yb1(m1,3:303))
title('Forward ase in first backward run');
figure(10)
plot(d,abs(yb1(m1,304:604)))
title('Bacward ASE in first backward run');
% Second Forward run
[xf2,yf2] = ode45(@gain_ode,[0 L],[Pp Ps zeros(1,301) (yb1(m1,304:604))]);
figure(11)
plot(xf2,yf2(:,1));
title('Pump power in second forward run');
figure(12)
plot(xf2,yf2(:,2));
title('Signal power in second forward run');
%figure(3)
% plot(xf1,yf1(:,3));
db = 10*log10(yf2(:,2)/10e-6);
figure(14)
plot(xf2,db);
title('Gain in second forward run');
printSol(xf2,yf2,9);
m3=size(yf2,1);
figure(19)
plot(d,yf2(m3,3:303))
title('Forward ASE in second forward run');
figure(20)
plot(d,yf2(m3,304:604))
title('BAckward ase in second forward run');