Amplification of spontaneous emission in erbium-doped single-mode fibers

Traveling-wave amplification of a lambda = 1.53 microm signal with +22-dB gain is achieved at 295 K in an Er(3+)-doped single-mode fiber using a lambda = 514.5 nm pump source. The optimum fiber length for maximum gain is determined experimentally. A limit in signal-to-noise ratio that is due to concurrent amplification of spontaneous emission is observed. By cooling the fiber to 77 K, the amplifier gain is increased to +29 dB as a result of depopulation of the lower laser level.