Impact of Zero-Dispersion-Wavelength Distributions on the Noise Figure Nonreciprocity of a Fiber Parametric Amplifier

Magazine article, 2011

For the first time we both theoretically and experimentally show that the zero-dispersion-wavelength (ZDW) variations in highly nonlinear fibers (HNLFs) will modify the output noise figure (NF) of a fiber optical parametric amplifier and make it nonreciprocal, due to the Raman phonon induced excess noise. The results show that a longer ZDW (but still below the pump wavelength) close to fiber input will give a better noise performance. The experimental results agree well with theory.