US 6,760,148 B2Grant

Nonlinear polarization amplifiers in nonzero dispersion shifted fiber

Issue Date:2004-07-06

•30 Claims

•12 Drawing Sheets

Abstract

A broadband fiber transmission system includes a transmission line with at least one zero dispersion wavelength λ_oand transmits an optical signal of λ. The transmission line includes a distributed Raman amplifier that amplifies the optical signal through Raman gain. One or more semiconductor lasers are included and operated at wavelengths λ_pfor generating a pump light to pump the Raman amplifier. λ is close to λ_oand λ₀is less than 1540 nm or greater than 1560 nm.

Metadata

Assignee

Xtera Communications, Inc.

Inventor

Mohammed N. Islam

Application Information

Application Number:US 09/766,489

Filing Date:2001-01-19

Priority Date:1998-03-24

Art Unit:7

Classifications

IPC:

H01S 3067G02B 602H04B 1018

Field of Search:

35933435933735933753593415372 3372 6

Patent Drawings (12 sheets)

Description

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of 09/760,201, filed Jan. 12, 2001, and 09/565,776, filed May 5, 2000, now U.S. Pat No. 6,239,902 which is a continuation of 09/046,900 filed Mar. 24, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,024. All the above applications are fully incorporated herein by reference.

Background

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to nonlinear polarization amplifiers, and more particularly to nonlinear polarization amplifiers used to amplify signals propagating in non-zero dispersion shifted optical fibers.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] Because of the increase in data intensive applications, the demand for bandwidth in communications has been growing tremendously. In response, the installed capacity of telecommunication systems has been increasing by an order of magnitude every three to four years since the mid 1970s. Much of this capacity increase has been supplied by optical fibers that provide a four-order-of-magnitude bandwidth enhancement over twisted-pair copper wires.

[0007] To exploit the bandwidth of optical fibers, two key technologies have been developed and used in the telecommunication industry: optical amplifiers and wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM). Optical amplifiers boost the signal strength and compensate for inherent fiber loss and other splitting and insertion losses. WDM enables different wavelengths of light to carry different signals parallel over the same optical fiber. Although WDM is critical in that it allows utilization of a major fraction of the fiber bandwidth, it would not be cost-effective without optical amplifiers. In particular, a broadband optical amplifier that permits simultaneous amplification of many WDM channels is a key enabler for utilizing the full fiber bandwidth.

[0008] Silica-based optical fiber has its lowest loss window around 1550 nm with approximately 25 THz of bandwidth between 1430 and 1620 nm. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates the loss profile of a 50 km optical fiber. In this wavelength region, erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) are widely used. However, as indicated in FIG. 2, the absorption band of a EDFA nearly overlaps its the emission band. For wavelengths shorter than about 1525 nm, erbium-atoms in typical glasses will absorb more than amplify. To broaden the gain spectra of EDFAs, various dopings have been added. For example, as shown in FIG. 3a, codoping of the silica core with aluminum or phosphorus broadens the emission spectrum considerably. Nevertheless, as depicted in FIG. 3b, the absorption peak for the various glasses is still around 1530 nm.

[0009] Hence, broadening the bandwidth of EDFAs to accommodate a larger number of WDM channels has become a subject of intense research. As an example of the state-of-the-art, a two-band architecture for an ultra-wideband EDFA with a record optical bandwidth of 80 nm has been demonstrated. To obtain a low noise figure and high output power, the two bands share a common first gain section and have distinct second gain sections. The 80 nm bandwidth comes from one amplifier (so-called conventional band or C-band) from 1525.6 to 1562.5 nm and another amplifier (so-called long band or L-band) from 1569.4 to 1612.8 nm. As other examples, a 54 nm gain bandwidth achieved with two EDFAs in a parallel configuration, i.e., one optimized for 1530-1560 nm and the other optimized for 1576-1600 nm, and a 52 nm EDFA that used two-stage EDFAs with an intermediate equalizer have been demonstrated.

[0010] These recent developments illustrate several points in the search for broader bandwidth amplifiers for the low-loss window in optical fibers. First, bandwidth in excess of 40-50 nm require the use of parallel combination of amplifiers even with EDFAs. Second, the 80 nm bandwidth may be very close to the theoretical maximum. The short wavelength side at about 1525 nm is limited by the inherent absorption in erbium, and long wavelength side is limited by bend-induced losses in standard fibers at above 1620 nm. Therefore, even with these recent advances, half of the bandwidth of the low-loss window, i.e., 1430-1530 nm, remains without an optical amplifier.

[0011] There is a need for nonlinear polarization amplifiers that provide a low noise figure amplification for operation near the zero dispersion wavelength of fibers. There is a further need for a broadband fiber transmission system that includes nonlinear polarization amplifiers which provide low noise amplification near the zero dispersion wavelength of fibers.

Summary of the Invention

[0012] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide nonlinear polarization amplifiers.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a broadband fiber transmission system with at least one nonlinear polarization amplifier.

[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a broadband fiber transmission system with reduced fiber non-linear impairments.

[0015] A further another object of the present invention is to provide a broadband fiber transmission system that operates over the full low loss window of available and optical fibers.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a broadband fiber transmission system that uses distributed Raman amplification to lower signal power requirements.

[0017] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a broadband fiber transmission system. The broadband fiber transmission system includes a transmission line with at least one zero dispersion wavelength λ_oand transmits an optical signal of λ. The transmission line includes a distributed Raman amplifier that amplifies the optical signal through Raman gain. One or more semiconductor lasers are included and operated at wavelengths λ_pfor generating a pump light to pump the Raman amplifier. λ is close to λ₀and λ₀is less than 1540 nm or greater than 1560 nm.

[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, a broadband fiber transmission system is provided. A transmission line includes at least one zero dispersion wavelength λ_oand transmits an optical signal of λ. The transmission line includes a distributed Raman amplifier and a discrete optical amplifier that amplify the optical signal of λ. One or more semiconductor lasers are included and operated at wavelengths λ_pfor generating a pump light to pump the amplifiers. λ is close to λ₀and λ₀is less than 1540 nm or greater than 1560 nm.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of broadband amplification provides a broadband fiber transmission system with a transmission line having at least one zero dispersion wavelength λ_o. The transmission line includes a distributed Raman amplifier that amplifies an optical signal through Raman gain. An optical signal of λ is transmitted. The Raman amplifier is pumped with pump light λ_p. λ is close to λ₀and λ₀is less than 1540 nm or greater than 1560 nm.

[0020] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of broadband amplification provides a broadband fiber transmission system with a transmission line having at least one zero dispersion wavelength λ_o. The transmission line includes a distributed Raman amplifier and a discrete optical amplifier that amplify an optical signal of λ. An optical signal of λ is transmitted. The Raman amplifier and discrete optical amplifiers are pumped with pump light λ_p. λ is close to λ₀and λ₀is less than 1540 nm or greater than 1560 nm.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] FIG. 1 is a plot of loss verses wavelength for 50 km fiber and the gain band of a typical EDFA.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a graphical illustration of absorption and gain spectra of an EDFA.

[0023] FIG. 3ais a graphical illustration of emission spectra of four EDFAs with different core compositions.

[0024] FIG. 3bis a graphical illustration of absorption cross-section of erbium-doped glass of different compositions.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a graphical illustration of a measured Raman-gain spectrum for fused silica at a pump wavelength of 1000 nm.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a graphical illustration that plots power gain coefficient 2 g versus phase vector mismatch Δk for parametric amplification.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a nonlinear polarization amplifier of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a graphical illustration of spectral broadening and gain expected from parametric amplification for a pump power of 1 W and different separations between the pump and zero-dispersion wavelength.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a graphical illustration of spectral broadening and gain expected from parametric amplification for a pump and zero-dispersion wavelength separation of 1 nm and for varying pump powers.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a broadband fiber transmission system of the present invention using an open-loop configuration.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a broadband fiber transmission system of the present invention using a Sagnac Raman cavity that is pumped at 1240 nm.

[0032] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a broadband fiber transmission system of the present invention using a Sagnac Raman cavity that is pumped at 1117 nm.

[0033] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a broadband fiber transmission system of the present invention with two stages of nonlinear polarization amplifiers.

[0034] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a broadband fiber transmission system of the present invention that is a combination of an EDFA and a nonlinear polarization amplifier.

[0035] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a dual stage amplifier.

[0036] FIG. 15 is a graph of gain versus wavelength for an S band dual stage amplifier, such as for the embodiment of FIG. 14.

[0037] FIG. 16 is a graph of noise figure versus wavelength for an S band dual stage amplifier, such as for the embodiment of FIG. 14.

[0038] FIG. 17 is a block chart of various embodiments of uses of amplifiers.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0039] Some embodiments provide a structure for exploiting almost the full 25 THz of bandwidth available in the low-loss window of optical fibers from 1430 nm to 1620 nm. The broadband NLPA amplifier of some embodiments combines Raman amplification with either PA or 4WM to achieve bandwidth performance improvements that neither technology by itself has heretofore been able to deliver.

[0040] The broadband NLPA of other embodiments comprise an input port for inputting an optical signal having a wavelength λ, a distributed gain medium for receiving the optical signal and amplifying and spectrally broadening the same therein through nonlinear polarization, a pump source operated at wavelength λ_pfor generating a pumping light to pump the distributed gain medium, and an output port for outputting the amplified and spectrally broadened optical signal. The distributed gain medium can have zero-dispersion at wavelength λ₀such that λ≧λ₀≧λ_p. The pumping light can cascade through the distributed gain medium a plurality of Raman orders including an intermediate order having a wavelength λ_rat a close proximity to the zero-dispersion wavelength λ₀to phase match four-wave mixing (if λ_r<λ₀) or parametric amplification (if λ_r>λ₀).

[0041] A first embodiment of the NLPA uses open-loop amplification with an optical fiber gain medium. A pump source operated at 1240 nm can be used. The pump may be retro-reflected to increase the conversion efficiency. A second embodiment of the NLPA can use a Sagnac Raman cavity that is pumped at 1240 nm. Feedback in the Sagnac Raman cavity can reduce the required pump power, and the broadband cavity design supports much of the generated bandwidth. Another embodiment of the NLPA can use a Sagnac Raman cavity pumped at 1117 nm for a very broadband operation.

[0042] Other embodiments relate to a parallel optical amplification apparatus having a combination of optical amplifiers. In one embodiment, the parallel optical amplification apparatus comprises two parallel stages of NLPAs with one NLPA optimized for 1430 to 1480 nm and the other for 1480 to 1530 nm. In another embodiment, the full 25 THz of the low-loss window in optical fibers can be exploited by a parallel combination of a Raman amplifier and a rare earth doped amplifier. In one embodiment, an NLPA can cover the low-loss window of approximately 1430 nm to 1530 nm, and an EDFA can cover the low-loss window of approximately 1530 nm to 1620 nm.

[0043] Stimulated Raman scattering effect, PA and 4WM can be result of third-order nonlinearities that occur when a dielectric material such as an optical fiber is exposed to intense light. The third-order nonlinear effect can be proportional to the instantaneous light intensity.

[0044] Stimulated Raman scattering can be an important nonlinear process that turns optical fibers into amplifiers and tunable lasers. Raman gain can result from the interaction of intense light with optical phonons in silica fibers, and Raman effect leads to a transfer of energy from one optical beam (the pump) to another optical beam (the signal). The signal can be downshifted in frequency (or upshifted in wavelength) by an amount determined by vibrational modes of silica fibers. The Raman gain coefficient g, for the silica fibers is shown in FIG. 4. Notably, the Raman gain g, can extend over a large frequency range (up to 40 THz) with a broad peak centered at 13.2 THz (corresponding to a wavelength of 440 cm⁻¹). This behavior over the large frequency range can be due to the amorphous nature of the silica glass and enable the Raman effect to be used in broadband amplifiers. The Raman gain can depend on the composition of the fiber core and can vary with different dopant concentrations.

[0045] Raman amplification has some attractive features. First, Raman gain can upgrade existing fiber optic links because it is based on the interaction of pump light with optical phonons in the existing fibers. Second, in some embodiments there is no excessive loss in the absence of pump power—an important consideration for system reliability.

[0046] Raman cascading is the mechanism by which optical energy at the pump wavelength is transferred, through a series of nonlinear polarizations, to an optical signal at a longer wavelength. Each nonlinear polarization of the dielectric can produce a molecular vibrational state corresponding to a wavelength that is offset from the wavelength of the light that produced the stimulation. The nonlinear polarization effect can be distributed throughout the dielectric, resulting in a cascading series of wavelength shifts as energy at one wavelength excites a vibrational mode that produces light at a longer wavelength. This process can cascade through numerous orders. Because the Raman gain profile can have a peak centered at 13.2 THz in silica fibers, one Raman order can be arranged to be separated from the previous order by 13.2 THz.

[0047] Cascading makes stimulated Raman scattering amplifiers very desirable. Raman amplification can be used to amplify multiple wavelengths (as in wavelength division multiplexing) or short optical pulses because the gain spectrum can be very broad (a bandwidth of greater than 5 THz around the peak at 13.2 THz). Cascading can enable Raman amplification over a wide range of different wavelengths. By varying the pump wavelength or by using cascaded orders of Raman gain, the gain can be provided over the entire telecommunications window between 1300 nm and 1600 nm.

[0048] Parametric amplification and 4 wave mixing (PA/4 WM) involve two pump (P) photons that create Stokes (S) and anti-Stokes (A) photons. Both PA/4WM and Raman amplification arise from the third order susceptibility χ⁽³⁾in optical fibers. More specifically, the real part of χ⁽³⁾, the so-called nonlinear index of refraction n₂, is responsible for PA/4WM, while the imaginary part of χ⁽³⁾associated with molecular vibrations corresponds to the Raman gain effect. In silica fibers of some embodiments, about ⅘ths of the n₂is an electronic, instantaneous nonlinearity caused by ultraviolet resonances, while about ⅕th of n₂arises from Raman-active vibrations, e.g., optical phonons. The imaginary part of this latter contribution corresponds to the Raman gain spectrum of FIG. 4.

[0049] Whereas Raman amplification is attractive for providing optical gain, PA/4WM can offer an efficient method to broaden the bandwidth of the optical gain. PA/4WM can have a much smaller frequency separation between pump and signal than Raman amplification, and the frequency difference may depend on the pump intensity. As in Raman amplification, one advantage of PA/4WM gain is that it can be present in every fiber. However, unlike the Raman effect, both PA and 4WM can require phase-matching. 4WM can be inefficient in long fibers due to the requirement for phase-matching. However, PA can act as self-phase-matched because the nonlinear index of refraction is used to phase match the pump and sidebands. This can be true in embodiments operating near the zero-dispersion wavelength in fibers. When 4WM and PA occur near the zero-dispersion wavelength of a single-mode fiber, phase-matching can become automatic in the fiber. In 4WM, sidebands can be generated without gain when the pump wavelength falls in the normal dispersion regime (where the pumping wavelength is shorter than the zero-dispersion wavelength). PA is 4-photon amplification in which the nonlinear index of refraction is used to phase match the pump and sidebands. For PA the pump wavelength can lie in the anomalous group velocity regime (i.e., where the pumping wavelength is longer than the zero-dispersion wavelength) and proper phase matching can require that pump and signal be co-propagating in some embodiments.

[0050] To illustrate the PA/4WM gain, the gain coefficient can be derived as:

\begin{matrix} g = \sqrt{{(γ P)}^{2} - {[(\frac{Δ κ}{2}) + γ P]}^{2}} & 1 \end{matrix}

[0051] The first term under the square root sign corresponds to the third order nonlinearity that couples the pump photons to the sidebands. The second term corresponds to the phase mismatch between the waves and it consists of two parts: one due to the wave-vector mismatch at the different wavelengths and the other due to the increase in nonlinear index induced by the pump. The nonlinearity parameter can be defined as

\begin{matrix} γ = \frac{ω}{c} \frac{n_{2}}{A_{eff}} = \frac{2 π}{λ} \frac{n_{2}}{A_{eff}} & 2 \end{matrix}

[0052] Some embodiments operate near the zero-dispersion wavelength λ₀, and the propagation constant can be expanded as:

\begin{matrix} Δ κ = - \frac{λ^{2}}{2 π c} [{\frac{ⅆ D}{ⅆ λ} |}_{λ_{0}} (λ_{p} - λ_{0})] Ω^{2} & 3 \end{matrix}

[0053] where

[0054] Ω=_ω−_ω=_ω−_ω. 4

[0055] The pump wavelength can falls in the normal dispersion regime for some embodiments, and D<0, ∂D/∂λ>0, (λ_p−λ₀)<0, so that Δk>0. In this case, g can be imaginary, and there may be no gain during the sideband generation process. This can correspond to the case of 4WM. Some embodiments operate in the anomalous group velocity dispersion regime, and D>0, ∂D/∂λ>0, (λ_p−λ₀)>0, so that Δk<0. This can be the regime of PA, and the nonlinearity helps to reduce the phase mismatch (i.e., the two parts in the second term in Equation (1) are of opposite sign). There can be gain for PA, and the gain can be tunable with the pump power. For example, the power gain coefficient 2 g is plotted schematically in FIG. 5 for operation in the anomalous group velocity regime. The peak gain (g_peak=γP) can occur at Δk_peak=−2γP. The range over which the gain exists can be given by 0>Δk>−4γP in some embodiments. Thus, the peak gain can be proportional to the pump power, and the Δk range can be determined by the pump power.

[0056] Consequently, from Equation (2) the bandwidth can be increased by increasing the pump power, increasing the nonlinear coefficient n₂or decreasing the effective area A_eff. In other embodiments, for a given required frequency range over which gain is required, the pump requirements can be reduced by increasing the effective nonlinearity (n₂/A_eff).

[0057] Several embodiments lead to broadband gain for cascaded Raman amplification by arranging at least one intermediate Raman cascade order at close proximity to the zero-dispersion wavelength λ₀(e.g., within ±5 nm of λ₀for some embodiments; within ±2 nm for other embodiments). Either 4WM (if λ_r<λ₀) or PA (if λ_r>λ₀) can lead to spectral broadening of that particular Raman order. In subsequent Raman orders the bandwidth can grow even further. In other embodiments, the cascade Raman wavelength λ_rlies to the long wavelength side of λ₀(i.e., in the anomalous dispersion regime), so that parametric amplification can occur.

[0058] An embodiment of the broadband NLPA is illustrated in FIG. 6. Starting from the pump wavelength λ_p, cascaded Raman amplification can be used in the first few stages. The pump can be more than one Raman shift or 13.2 THz away from the zero-dispersion wavelength. To keep higher efficiency in these initial steps, some embodiments can use a narrow band cavity design, such as designs based on gratings or wavelength selective couplers.

[0059] Some embodiments broaden the gain bandwidth by positioning one of the intermediate Raman cascade orders at a close proximity to the zero-dispersion wavelength λ₀. By operating close to λ₀, it can almost automatically phase-match either 4WM or PA. In the subsequent cascaded Raman orders, the gain bandwidth may continue to broaden. This occurs because the effective gain bandwidth of Raman is the convolution of the bandwidth of the pump (in this case, the previous Raman cascade order) with the Raman gain curve. In some embodiments with Raman amplification, the gain spectrum follows the pump spectrum. As the pump wavelength changes, the Raman gain can change as well, separated by the distance of optical phonon energy which in silica fibers is an approximately 13.2 THz down-shift in frequency.

[0060] If the fiber is conventional so-called standard fiber, then zero-dispersion wavelength λ₀can be about 1310 nm. For dispersion-shifted fiber, the zero-dispersion wavelength λ₀can shift to longer wavelengths by adding waveguide dispersion. In other embodiments, a dispersion-flattened fiber can be used for low dispersion values over one or more of the Raman cascade orders. In some embodiments with dispersion-flattened fiber, the dispersion slope can be small, so the gain bandwidth can be even larger (c.f. Equations (1) and (3)).

[0061] The Raman gain spectrum can follow the pump spectrum, such as when there is nothing in the Raman cavity to restrict the bandwidth of the subsequent orders. For these higher cascade order Raman laser schemes, some embodiments use gratings or wavelength selective couplers. Other embodiments with the broadband cavity design of the Sagnac Raman amplifier and laser can have increased bandwidth with a tailored pump spectrum. A single-pass fiber design can constitute the broadest bandwidth design. A broadband cavity such as the Sagnac Raman cavity can have the feedback used to lower the threshold and the required pump power. Broadening the bandwidth can lead to a drop in efficiency, so the pump powers can be higher for the broadband cavity designs.

[0062] Cascaded Raman amplification can reach the 1430-1530 nm range of the low-loss window. Pumping can occur with a commercially available cladding-pumped fiber laser, which operates around 1060 to 1140 nm. The various Raman orders, each separated by 13.2 Thz from the previous order, are set forth in Table 1.


	Wavelength (nm)	Δλ

[0063] To obtain gain between 1430 nm and 1520 nm, the pump can be operated between 1090 nm and 1140 nm, and five cascaded Raman orders can be used to reach the desired wavelength. To make use of the broadening from PA or 4WM, a pumping scheme can be selected in the middle of this range, i.e., starting with a pump wavelength of 1117 nm. Then, the various Raman orders land at approximately 1175 nm, 1240 nm, 1310 nm, 1390 nm and finally 1480 nm. In particular, the third Raman frequency (1310 nm) passes through the zero-dispersion point of a standard fiber, and the next order (1390 nm) can be close if the fiber is dispersion shifted. A broadband gain can be expected for wavelengths in the 1430-1530 nm range centered around 1480 nm by using a fiber with a standard dispersion and a pump wavelength of 1117 nm, 1175 nm or 1240 nm.

[0064] Broadening can be expected from PA. A standard fiber can be used and the pump wavelength can start at 1117 nm. The calculations use Equations (1-4) with the following typical parameters for high-Raman cross-section fiber in some embodiments: λ₀=1310 nm, γ=9.9 W⁻¹km⁻¹, and a dispersion slope of 0.05 ps/nm−km. In FIG. 7, the gain coefficient for PA is plotted versus wavelength at a pump power of 1W and wavelength separations (λ_r−λ₀) of 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 nm. For a wavelength separation of 2 nm, the PA peak gain occurs at ±10 nm, so the spectral broadening is over 20 nm. The closer the pump wavelength approaches the zero-dispersion wavelength, the wider the gain bandwidth can be. In addition, FIG. 8 plots the gain versus wavelength for a separation of (λ_r−λ₀)=1 nm and pump powers of 0.7, 1, 2, and 3W. The peak gain can increase directly proportionally to the pump power, while the bandwidth can increase as the square root of pump power.

[0065] FIG. 9 shows a first embodiment that uses an open-loop design to produce an amplified broadband signal for a range of wavelengths between 1430 nm and 1530 nm. The open-loop design is a nonlinear polarization amplifier, and may have a high pump power requirement. In the NLPA amplifier 20 as illustrated in FIG. 9, an optical signal having a wavelength between 1430 nm and 1530 nm is input from an input port 25 to an optical fiber 30. The optical fiber 30 is pumped by a pumping light generated by a pumping laser 35 operated at a wavelength of about 1240 nm. The optical signal is amplified and spectrally broadened in the fiber by nonlinear polarization, and output through an output port 40. The configuration is so arranged that the optical signal can have a wavelength greater than the zero-dispersion wavelength of the fiber, which in turn is greater than the pumping wavelength of 1240 nm.

[0066] In this open-loop configuration, the fiber can have a cut-off wavelength below 1240 nm to be single-mode (spatial) over all wavelengths of the Raman cascade. Three choices of the fiber embodiments can be used in some embodiments. First, a standard dispersion fiber with a zero-dispersion wavelength at about 1310 nm. Second, two fibers spliced together with one fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength at about 1310 nm (first cascade) and the other at 1390 nm (second cascade). Third, a dispersion-flattened fiber with low-dispersion at least between 1310 nm and 1390 nm. The reduced dispersion slope of such a dispersion-flattened fiber increases significantly the bandwidth for PA or 4WM.

[0067] Exemplary 1240 nm pump lasers include: (a) an 1117 nm cladding-pumped fiber laser followed by a coupler-based or grating-based Raman oscillator cavity (with gratings for 1117 nm, 1175 nm and 1240 nm); (b) an optically-pumped semiconductor laser; or (c) a chromium-doped forsterite laser. At one end of the fiber, a 1240 nm retro-reflector 45 can be placed to increase pumping conversion efficiency. The retro-reflector can be a dichroic mirror or a 1240 nm grating. The input and output ports can be WDM couplers, and isolators can be used at the input and output ports to prevent lasing due to spurious feedback. A counter-propagating geometry can average out noise fluctuations in this open-loop configuration. A co-propagating geometry can be used.

[0068] To reduce the pump power requirements, a broadband cavity such as the Sagnac Raman cavity can be used in some embodiments. FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the NLPA that uses a Sagnac Raman cavity design with a 1240 nm pump. Referring to FIG. 10, the Sagnac Raman cavity of the NLPA 60 can be formed by a broadband mirror 70 and a loop mirror comprising a Raman gain fiber 65 and an optical coupler 90 connected thereto. An optical signal can have a wavelength between 1430 nm to 1530 nm input through an input port 75 to the Raman gain fiber 65. A pumping laser 80 can operate at a wavelength 1240 nm and generate a pumping light that pumps the fiber 65 through a coupler 85. The optical signal can be amplified and spectrally broadened in the fiber by nonlinear polarization, and output through an output port 95. The configuration can be arranged so that the optical signal has a wavelength greater than the zero-dispersion wavelength of the fiber, which in turn can be greater than the pumping wavelength of 1240 nm.

[0069] The Raman gain fiber can have the same characteristics as described above for the open-loop design. Similarly, the pumping lasers used in the first embodiment can be used in this second embodiment. The broadband NLPA may further include a polarization controller 100 in the Sagnac Raman cavity for controlling polarization state. In other embodiments, if the fiber is polarization maintained, the polarization controller can be unnecessary. The optical coupler 90 is nominally 50:50 at least for the optical signal having a wavelength between about 1240 nm and 1430 nm. The coupler 85 can be a WDM coupler that transmits at least at a wavelength between about 1300 nm and 1430 nm. The input port and output port each comprises a WDM coupler which can transmit at least at a wavelength between about 1240 nm and 1425 nm. One embodiment of the Sagnac Raman cavity has a passive noise dampening property that leads to quieter cascading of various Raman orders.

[0070] In various embodiments, a Sagnac Raman cavity can be used for all five Raman cascade orders between 1117 nm and the low-loss window. FIG. 11 illustrates a third embodiment of a five-order Sagnac Raman amplifier for NLPA operation. A cladding-pumped fiber laser operating around 1117 nm can be used as a pumping laser 120. Different fiber combinations embodiment can be used. The fibers can have a cut-off wavelength below 1117 nm to accommodate single-mode operation for the pump. An optical coupler 130 can be nominally 50:50 at least for the optical signal having the wavelength between about 1117 nm and 1430 nm. A coupler 125 can be a WDM coupler that transmits at least at wavelengths between about 1165 nm and 1430 nm. Moreover, the input and output ports each comprises a WDM coupler which can transmit at least at wavelengths between about 1117 nm and 1425 nm. Although the wavelength range of the various components increases, this configuration can lead to an even broader gain band since the pump bandwidth is allowed to increase even during the first two cascades between 1117 nm and 1240 nm for some embodiments. Also, the noise dampening property of the Sagnac cavity can be used over all five Raman orders for some embodiments.

[0071] Some embodiments include an NLPA. An optical signal having a wavelength λ is input through an input port into a distributed gain medium having zero-dispersion at a wavelength λ₀, such as an optical fiber, which can be pumped by a pumping light from a pump source operated at a wavelength λ_p, wherein λ≧λ₀≧λ_p. The pumping light can cascade through the distributed gain medium a plurality of Raman orders including an intermediate order having a wavelength λ_rat a close proximity to the zero-dispersion wavelength λ₀to phase match four-wave mixing (if λ_r<λ₀) or parametric amplification (if λ_r>λ₀). The amplified and spectrally broadened optical signal is output through an output port.

[0072] The above embodiments demonstrate that a single NLPA can accommodate the full bandwidth of the low-loss window. Moreover, the full bandwidth of the low-loss window may be reached by using a parallel optical amplification apparatus having a combination of two or more Raman amplifiers and rare earth doped amplifiers. In some embodiments, the NLPAs and EDFAs are used.

[0073] FIG. 12 shows a first embodiment of the parallel optical amplification apparatus using a combination of two NLPAs for a range of wavelengths between 1430 nm and 1530 nm. Referring to FIG. 12, a divider 170 divides an optical signal having a wavelength between 1430 nm to 1530 nm at a predetermined wavelength, such as 1480 nm, into a first beam having a wavelength less than the predetermined wavelength and a second beam having a wavelength greater than the predetermined wavelength in some embodiments. The first beam is input into a first NLPA 180 for amplification and spectral broadening therein. The second beam is input into a second NLPA 190 for amplification and spectral broadening therein. Outputs from the first and second NLPAs can be combined by a combiner 200 to produce an amplified and spectrally broadened optical signal. The input port 170 and output port 200 can be preferably WDM couplers in some embodiments.

[0074] In other embodiments the first NLPA 180 can be optimized for 1430-1480 nm and centered at 1455 nm, while the second NLPA can be optimized for 1480-1530 nm and centered at 1505 nm. From Table 1, these two windows can be achieved in a five-order cascade by starting with a pump wavelength of about 1100 nm for the short-wavelength side and a pump wavelength of about 1130 nm for the long-wavelength side. For the short-wavelength side, the fiber can have a zero-dispersion around 1365 nm, while for the long-wavelength side, the fiber zero-dispersion can be around 1328 nm or 1410 nm.

[0075] The narrower-bandwidth for each NLPA can lead to an increased efficiency for each amplifier in some embodiments. Furthermore, the components may be more easily manufactured, since the wavelength window is not as large. The multiple amplifiers in some embodiments may allow for gradual upgrades of systems, adding bandwidth to the EDFA window as needed.

[0076] A spectrum of 1430-1620 nm in the low-loss window can be amplified and spectrally broadened by using a parallel optical amplification apparatus comprising Raman amplifiers and rare earth doped amplifiers. FIG. 13 describes a second embodiment of the parallel optical amplification apparatus. The amplification apparatus comprises a broadband NLPA 240 and a EDFA 250. A divider 230 of the apparatus divides an optical signal having a wavelength between 1430 nm and 1620 nm at a predetermined wavelength, preferably at 1525 nm, into a first beam having a wavelength less than the predetermined wavelength and a second beam having a wavelength greater than the predetermined wavelength in some embodiments. The broadband NLPA 240 receives the first beam and produces an amplified broadband first beam. The EDFA 250 receives the second beam and produces an amplified broadband second beam. A combiner 260 combines the amplified and spectrally broadened first and second beams to produce an amplified broadband optical signal. Other embodiments can have WDM couplers for the divider 230 and the combiner 260.

[0077] To use some embodiments with multi-wavelength WDM channels, at the output of the amplifier, gain can be equalized. This wavelength dependency or nonuniformity of the gain band can have little impact on single-channel transmission. However, it can render the amplifier unsuitable for multichannel operation through a cascade of amplifiers. As channels at different wavelengths propagate through a chain of amplifiers, they can accumulate increasing discrepancies between them in terms of gain and signal-to-noise ratio. Using gain-flattening elements can significantly increase the usable bandwidth of a long chain of amplifiers. For example, the NLPA can be followed by a gain flattening element to provide gain equalization for different channels in some embodiments. Alternately, the gain flattening element could be introduced directly into the Sagnac interferometer loop in other embodiments, such as in FIG. 10 or 11.

[0078] Due to the high pump power requirements of Raman amplifiers, some embodiments include higher efficiency Raman amplifiers, where the efficiency can be defined as the ratio of signal output to pump input. In one embodiment, the efficiency can be improved to the point that laser diodes (LD's) can be used to directly pump the Raman amplifier. As an exemplary benchmark, for a dual stage amplifier made from dispersion-shifted fiber (DSF) with a gain of >15 dB and an electrical noise figure of <6 dB, a pump power of about 1 W can be required from the Raman oscillator or pump laser. This power level can require the combined powers from about eight LD's in one embodiment. If the pump requirements could be dropped by a factor of four or so, the pump powers could be achieved with the combination of two LD's that are polarization multiplexed in another embodiment. In one embodiment, four LD's could be used to provide more than 0.5W of power, and the remaining improvement factor could be used to reduce the gain fiber lengths.

[0079] One embodiment improves the efficiency of Raman amplifiers by increasing the effective nonlinearity of the fiber used as the gain medium. The effective nonlinear coefficient for the fiber can be defined as

γ = \frac{2 π}{λ} \frac{n_{2}}{A_{eff}}

[0080] where n₂is the nonlinear index of refraction and A_effis the effective area of the fiber. The Raman gain coefficient can be directly proportional to γ. The Raman coefficient is the imaginary part of the nonlinear susceptibility while the index is proportional to the real part of the susceptibility, and the nonlinear index and Raman gain will be related by the so-called Kramers-Kronig relations. For a dispersion shifted fiber at 1550 nm wavelength with an n₂=2.6×10⁻¹⁶cm²/W and an A_eff=50 μm², the nonlinear coefficient can be about γ=2 W⁻¹km⁻¹. If this value is raised to over 3 W⁻¹km⁻¹, then the pump power or fiber lengths can be reduced in proportion to the increase in nonlinear coefficient.

[0081] Beyond the constraint on the Raman gain coefficient, the dispersion in the amplifier can be restricted. To maintain a relatively low level of dispersion in the vicinity of the signal wavelengths, the zero dispersion wavelength λ_ocan be in close proximity to the operating wavelength. For single-channel, high-bit-rate systems, one embodiment minimizes the dispersion by placing the signal wavelength within 10 nm of the λ_o. For some embodiments of multi-wavelength WDM systems, where the channels can interact through four-wave mixing in the vicinity of λ_o, a dispersion-managed fiber can be used. A dispersion-managed fiber can have a locally high dispersion but a path-averaged value for dispersion close to zero by combining lengths of plus and minus values for the dispersion around the operating band. For the operating wavelength band, some segments of fiber can have λ_oat shorter wavelengths and some segments of fiber can have λ_oat longer wavelengths.

[0082] By proper design of the fiber, higher nonlinearity and lower dispersion can be achieved. For example, for operation in the S-band around 1520 nm, high nonlinearity fibers have been produced. The fiber core can have a modified parabolic refractive index profile with a Δ_peak=2%. Three exemplary fibers have zero dispersion wavelengths of 1524 nm, 1533 nm and 1536 nm. Such fibers can have a dispersion slope of 0.043 ps/nm²−km, and the loss at 1550 nm can be approximately 0.6 dB/km. The nonlinear coefficient can be γ=9 W⁻¹km⁻¹, or a factor of 4.5× higher than in DSF. The enhancement can be attributed to two factors: a smaller effective area and a higher germanium content. The effective area can be reduced to about A_eff=16.5 μm², or about a factor of 3.3 less than in DSF. Also, the nonlinear index of refraction is about 1.35× larger than in DSF due to the extra germanium used to increase Δ_peakfrom 1% in DSF to 2% for the high nonlinearity fiber. In addition the mode field diameter at 1550 nm can be measured to be 4.67 μm.

[0083] For the gain fiber used in the Raman amplifier, a figure-of-merit for the fiber can be defined in some embodiments. A figure-of-merit that can be measured and indicate amplifier performance is the ratio of the Raman gain coefficient to the loss at the signal wavelength. The higher this figure-of-merit, the better the performance of the amplifier. This figure-of-merit for different fibers in some embodiments is provided in Table 1. In one embodiment the lowest figure-of-merit is found for standard (non-dispersion-shifted) SMF-28 fiber. This fiber can have a low germanium content and a relatively large A_eff=86 μm². The figures-of-merit for the high-nonlinearity (Hi-NL) fiber can exceed the other fibers, with a value about two-fold larger than Lucent True-wave fiber in one example. Although the DCF's can have a relatively large figure-of-merit for Raman amplification, they can have very large dispersion coefficients for S-band signals.

TABLE 1

Comparison of Raman gain figure-of-merit for different fibers measured.

[0084] One embodiment with Hi-NL fiber has significant improvements in terms of fiber length and pump power used in a Raman amplifier. One embodiment has an amplifier made out of Lucent True-Wave fiber. The specifications for the unit can be: low dispersion around 1520 nm, 15 dB of peak gain, electrical and optical NF under 6 dB, and multi-path interference (MPI) under 50 dB. A two-stage design for the Raman amplifier can be used, as illustrated in FIG. 14. In particular, 6 km of True-Wave fiber can be used in the first stage and 10-12 km of fiber can be used in the second stage. The measured performance of the amplifier can be: peak gain of 15.2 dB at 1516 nm, 3 dB bandwidth of 26 nm (between 1503-1529 nm), and electrical and optical noise figure under 6 dB. For example, the gain versus wavelength and noise figure versus wavelength for the unit is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. This performance can have a pump power of about 1.0 W at 1421 nm.

[0085] In one embodiment, the True-Wave fiber in this design is replaced with Hi-NL fiber. Reductions in fiber lengths and pump power requirements can be achieved. The Hi-NL fiber can meet the dispersion requirement in some embodiments. The DCF fibers can lead to the introduction of large amounts of dispersion. Referring to the Table 1 comparison, the fiber lengths can be chosen to keep roughly the same amount of net loss. In one embodiment, fiber lengths can be roughly 2 km for the first stage and 3.3-4 km for the second stage. Pump power requirements can be lowered by the ratio of figures-of-merit, or roughly to 0.5 W. in various embodiments, this power range can be provided by the Raman oscillator, or by polarization and wavelength multiplexing 3-4 LD's together. Hi-NL fiber can reduce the size of the amplifier as well as permit LD pumping in some embodiments.

[0086] The fiber can have single-mode operation for the pump as well as the signal wavelengths in some embodiments. Cut-off wavelength λ_cof the fiber can be shorter than any of the pump wavelengths in some embodiments. The pump can be multi-mode, and noise can be introduced from the beating between modes in other embodiments.

[0087] Various embodiments have reduction of the Raman amplifier size and pump requirements while maintaining low net dispersion at the operating wavelengths, and include one or more of:

[0088] (A) A Raman amplifier using a gain fiber characterized in that

[0089] nonlinear coefficient γ>3 W⁻¹km⁻¹

[0090] zero dispersion wavelength in the range of 1300<λ_o<1800 nm, depending more precisely on the specifications

[0091] Loss over the operating wavelength of <2 dB/km, with a preference for loss<1 dB/km

[0092] (B) A Raman amplifier using a dispersion managed gain fiber characterized in that

[0093] nonlinear coefficient γ>3 W⁻¹km⁻¹

[0094] dispersion management done using segments of fiber with zero dispersion wavelength in the range of 1300<λ_o<1800 nm, depending more precisely on the specifications. Given an operating band, certain fiber segments have λ_oless than the operating band and other fiber segments have λ_ogreater than the operating band. The local dispersion can be kept high, while the path average dispersion can be close to zero in the signal band.

[0095] Loss over the operating wavelength of certainly<2 dB/km, with a preference for loss<1 dB/km

[0096] (C) Fibers as in (A) or (B) with cut-off wavelength shorter than any of the pump wavelengths.

[0097] (D) A Raman amplifier as described in (A) that is pumped by LD's. For two or more LD's, the power can be combined by using polarization and wavelength multiplexing using polarization beam combiners and wavelength-division-multiplexers.

[0098] (E) A Raman amplifier as in (B) that is pumped by LD's. For two or more LD's, the power can be combined by using polarization and wavelength multiplexing using polarization beam combiners and wavelength-division-multiplexers.

[0099] (F) At least a two-stage Raman amplifier that uses the improvements in (A), (B), (C), (D) or (E).

[0100] (G) Other factors as above with different numerical ranges

[0101] Some embodiments include standard dispersion fiber, i.e., fibers with zero dispersion wavelength around 1310 nm. The zero dispersion wavelength can fall in the S− or S⁺-bands in some embodiments. For example, this is true for so-called non-zero-dispersion-shifted fiber (NZ-DSF). In these fibers, it can be difficult to run multi-wavelength WDM channels due to cross-talk from four-wave mixing. Four-wave-mixing can require phase matching, and the phase matching can be easier to satisfy in the neighborhood of the zero dispersion wavelength. One embodiment is a broadband fiber transmission system with non-zero dispersion fiber that has zero dispersion wavelengths less than 1540 nm or greater than 1560 nm that uses optical amplifiers to compensate for loss.

[0102] WDM can maximize capacity in any given band in some embodiments. Hybrid amplifiers can be useful in the vicinity of the zero dispersion wavelength in some embodiments. NZ-DSF fibers can have a zero dispersion wavelength either <1540 nm or >1560 nm in some embodiments. For operation near the zero dispersion wavelength, e.g., |λ−λ_o|<25 nm, the four-wave-mixing penalty can be avoided by using hybrid optical amplifiers in one embodiment. Since the effective NF of hybrid amplifiers can be lower than for discrete amplifiers, the power levels for the signals can be reduced to the point that four-wave-mixing can no longer be a limitation, in another embodiment.

[0103] One embodiment of a broadband fiber transmission system comprises a transmission line and one or more semiconductor lasers. The transmission line can have at least one zero dispersion wavelength λ_o. The transmission line can transmit an optical signal of λ. The optical signal can have a wavelength λ in the range of 1430 nm and 1530 nm, or in the range of 1530 nm and 1630 nm. The signal wavelength at λ can be sufficiently low in power to avoid at least one fiber non-linearity effect. The at least one fiber non-linearity effect can comprise four-wave mixing, and/or modulation instability. λ can be close to λ₀. λ can be within 20 nm, or within 30 nm λ₀. λ₀can be less than 1540 nm, and/or greater than 1560 nm. The transmission line can include a distributed Raman amplifier. The distributed Raman amplifier can amplify the optical signal through Raman gain. The distributed Raman amplifier can have sufficient gain to compensate for losses in the transmission line. The one or more semiconductor lasers can operate at wavelengths λ_pfor generating a pump light to pump the Raman amplifier.

[0104] One embodiment of a broadband fiber transmission system comprises a transmission line and one or more semiconductor lasers. The transmission line can have at least one zero dispersion wavelength λ_o. The transmission line can transmit an optical signal of λ. The optical signal can have a wavelength λ in the range of 1430 nm and 1530 nm, or in the range of 1530 nm and 1630 nm. The signal wavelength at λ can be sufficiently low in power to avoid at least one fiber non-linearity effect, such as four-wave mixing, and/or modulation instability. The transmission line can include a distributed Raman amplifier. The transmission line can include a discrete optical amplifier. The amplifiers can have sufficient gain to compensate for losses in the transmission line. The discrete optical amplifier can amplify the optical signal of λ. The discrete optical amplifier can be a rare earth doped amplifier, an erbium doped fiber amplifier, a Raman amplifier, and/or a thulium doped fiber amplifier. The one or more semiconductor lasers can operate at wavelengths λ_pfor generating a pump light to pump the amplifiers. λ can be close to λ_o. λ can be within 30 nm, or within 20 nm, of λ_o. λ_ocan be less than 1540 nm, and/or greater than 1560 nm.

[0105] One embodiment of a method of broadband amplification comprises providing a broadband fiber transmission system with a transmission line having at least one zero dispersion wavelength λ_o, the transmission line including a distributed Raman amplifier that amplifies an optical signal through Raman gain; transmitting an optical signal of λ; pumping the Raman amplifier with pump light λ_p, wherein λ is close to λ_oand λ_ois less than 1540 nm or greater than 1560 nm. λ can be within 30 nm, or within 20 nm, of λ_o. The optical signal can have a wavelength λ in the range of 1430 nm and 1530 nm, or in the range of 1530 nm and 1630 nm. The signal wavelength at λ can be sufficiently low in power to avoid at least one fiber non-linearity effect, such as four-wave mixing, and/or modulation instability. The distributed Raman amplifier can have sufficient gain to compensate for losses in the transmission line.

[0106] One embodiment of a method of broadband amplification comprises providing a broadband fiber transmission system with a transmission line having at least one zero dispersion wavelength λ_o, the transmission line including a distributed Raman amplifier and a discrete optical amplifier that amplify an optical signal of λ; transmitting an optical signal of λ; pumping the Raman amplifier and discrete optical amplifiers with pump light λ_p, wherein λ is close to λ_oand λ_ois less than 1540 nm or greater than 1560 nm. λ can be within 30 nm, or within 20 nm, of λ_o. The optical signal can have a wavelength λ in the range of 1430 nm and 1530 nm, or in the range of 1530 nm and 1630 nm. The discrete optical amplifier can be a rare earth doped amplifier, an erbium doped fiber amplifier, a Raman amplifier, and/or a thulium doped fiber amplifier. The signal wavelength at λ can be sufficiently low in power to avoid at least one fiber non-linearity effect, such as four-wave mixing, and/or modulation instability. The amplifiers can have sufficient gain to compensate for losses in the transmission line.

[0107] Various other modifications can be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the description set forth herein, but rather that the claims be construed as encompassing all the features of the patentable novelty that reside in the present invention, including all features that would be treated as equivalents thereof by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A broadband fiber transmission system, comprising:

a transmission line having at least a first zero dispersion wavelength λ₀₁and a second zero dispersion wavelength λ₀₂, the transmission line operable to transmit an optical signal of λ, the transmission line including a Raman gain medium that amplifies the optical signal through Raman gain; and

one or more semiconductor lasers operated at wavelengths λ_pfor generating a pump light to pump the Raman amplifier, wherein λ is within 30 nm of at least one of λ₀₁and λ₀₂, and wherein λ₀₁is separated from λ₀₂by at least 50 nm.

2. The broadband fiber transmission system of claim 1, wherein λ is within 20 nm of at least one of λ₀₁and λ₀₂.

3. The broadband fiber transmission system of claim 1, wherein the optical signal has a wavelength λ in the range of 1430 nm and 1530 nm.

4. The broadband fiber transmission system of claim 1, wherein the optical signal has a wavelength λ in the range of 1530 nm and 1630 nm.

5. The broadband fiber transmission system of claim 1, wherein a signal wavelength at λ is sufficiently low in power to avoid at least one fiber non-linearity effect.

6. The broadband fiber transmission system of claim 1, wherein the Raman gain medium has sufficient gain to compensate for losses in the transmission line.

7. The broadband fiber transmission system of claim 5, wherein the at least one fiber non-linearity effect comprises four-wave mixing.

8. The broadband fiber transmission system of claim 5, wherein the one fiber non-linearity effect is modulation instability.

9. A method of broadband amplification, comprising:

providing a broadband fiber transmission system with a transmission line having at least a first zero dispersion wavelength λ₀₁and a second zero dispersion wavelength λ₀₂, the transmission line including a Raman gain medium tat amplifies an optical signal through Raman gain;

transmitting an optical signal of λ;

pumping the Raman amplifier with pump light λ_p, wherein λ is within 30 nm of at least one of λ₀₁and λ₀₂, and wherein λ₀₁is separated from λ₀₂by at least 50 nm.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein λ is within 20 nm of at least one of λ₀₁and λ₀₂.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the optical signal has a wavelength λ in the range of 1430 nm and 1530 nm.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the optical signal has a wavelength λ in the range of 1530 nm and 1630 nm.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein a signal wavelength at λ is sufficiently low in power to avoid at least one fiber non-linearity effect.

14. A The method of claim 9, wherein the Raman gain medium has sufficient gain to compensate for losses in the transmission line.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one fiber non-linearity effect comprises four-wave mixing.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one fiber non-linearity effect comprises modulation instability.

17. A broadband fiber transmission system of claim 1, wherein the transmission line comprises at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber coupled to the first optical fiber.

18. A broadband fiber transmission system of claim 1, wherein the transmission line comprises at least a first portion having a positive sign of dispersion and a second portion having a negative sign of dispersion.

19. The broadband fiber transmission system of claim 1, wherein the Raman gain medium comprises a distributed Raman gain medium.

20. The broadband fiber transmission system of claim 1, wherein the Raman gain medium comprises a discrete Raman gain medium.

21. The broadband fiber transmission system of claim 1, wherein the pump light generated by the at least one semiconductor laser propagates the Raman gain medium in a direction that is direction that the optical signal propagates the Raman gain medium.

22. The broadband fiber transmission system of claim 1, wherein the first zero dispersion wavelength λ₀₁is separated from the second zero dispersion wavelength λ₀₂by at least 80 nm.

23. The broadband fiber transmission system of claim 1, wherein λ comprises one of a plurality of signal wavelengths forming the optical signal.

24. The broadband fiber transmission system of claim 1, further comprising:

an input port operable to input the pump light generated by the one or more semiconductor lasers to the Raman gain medium; and

an output port operable to remove at least a portion of the pump light from the Raman gain medium.

25. The method of claim 9, wherein the transmission line comprises at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber coupled to the first optical fiber.

26. The method of claim 9, wherein the transmission line comprises at least a first portion having a positive sigh of dispersion and a second portion having a negative sign of dispersion.

27. The method of claim 9, wherein the pump light propagates the Raman gain medium in a direction that is substantially opposite the direction that the optical signal propagates the Raman gain medium.

28. The method of claim 9, wherein the first zero dispersion wavelength λ₀₁is separated from the second zero dispersion wavelength λ₀₂by at least 80 nm.

29. The method of claim 9, wherein λ comprises one of a plurality of signal wavelengths forming the optical signal.

30. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

inputting the pump light to the Raman gain medium; and

removing at least a portion of the pump light from the Raman gain medium.

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Abstract