Hybrid optical amplifier with optimized noise figure

摘要

Methods for optimizing a noise figure of a variable gain hybrid amplifier (HA) which includes a variable gain Raman amplifier with adjustable average gain G R and gain tilt T R and a variable gain lumped amplifier with adjustable average gain G L and gain tilt T L . In various embodiments, the methods include receiving as input a required hybrid amplifier average gain G H value and a required gain tilt T H value and deriving a set of G R , T R , G L and T L values which yield an optimal optimized hybrid amplifier NF and satisfy the conditions G R + G L = G H and that T R + T L is within a specified hybrid amplifier operating tilt range. In some embodiments, the derived T R and T L values satisfy the condition T R + T L = T H . A hybrid amplifier implementing a method disclosed herein includes a modified control unit configured to control both average gain and gain tilt parameters of the Raman amplifier and the lumped amplifier to satisfy the conditions above