Method and apparatus for full C-band amplifier with high dynamic gain range

摘要

A method and apparatus for optical amplification with a large dynamic gain range in both the non-linear (1530-1540 nm) and linear (1540-1565 nm) regimes of the C-Band. The large dynamic gain range is achieved by the synergistic operation of a dual-stage Erbium-doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) having a self-saturating Thulium-doped fiber inserted between the two stages. The Thulium-doped fiber saturation is determined by the output power of the first EDFA stage, and the synergistic, combined operation of both EDFA stages and the self-saturating absorber is controlled by appropriate algorithms and software.