Highly nonlinear optical fiber with improved SBS threshold and moderate attenuation

摘要

A highly nonlinear optical fiber having an improved stimulated Brillouin scattering threshold is provided. The fiber includes a central core region made substantially from silica doped with aluminum, a trench region surrounding the central core region, and a silica cladding surrounding the trench region. The refractive index profile of the fiber is optimized. A refractive index difference of the central core region relative to the cladding (Δn+) is less than 26×10−3, and more preferably at or near 21×10−3. A refractive index difference of the trench region relative to the cladding (Δn−) is less than −5×10−3. The trench region is preferably doped with fluorine. The aluminum doping level of the central core region is preferably less than 14 wt % Al. A fiber doped with aluminum having this refractive index profile exhibits a significantly higher figure of merit (PthγLeff) than conventional germanium-doped fibers.

主权项

1. A highly nonlinear optical fiber, comprising:
a central core region made substantially from silica doped with aluminum; a trench region substantially surrounding said central core region; and a silica cladding substantially surrounding said trench region, wherein a first refractive index difference of said central core region relative to said cladding (Δn+) is <26×10−3, wherein a second refractive index difference of said trench region relative to said cladding (Δn−) is <−5×10−3, and wherein attenuation in said fiber at 1550 nm is below 10 dB/km and the figure of merit PthγLeff is above 0.40.