Optical Passive Components

Fiber Optic Components for EDFA Applications

Optical fiber communication using optical fiber to transmit optical signals is usually limited by optical loss and
dispersion. The transmission distance of the optical fiber is shorter, and the development of Er-Doped Fiber
Amplifier (EDFA) breaks the optical fiber. The limitation of communication transmission distance has extended
the distance of all-optical communication to several thousand kilometers, bringing revolutionary changes to the
optical fiber communication industry.

EDFA uses Er-Doped Fiber (EDF) as the gain medium. Under the action of pump light (980nm/1480nm), the
population inversion is generated, and the signal light induces the amplification of stimulated radiation. The main
advantages of EDFA include high gain, large bandwidth, high output power, high pumping efficiency, low insertion
loss, and insensitivity to polarization. It is the most widely used optical amplifier component in optical fiber
communication.

Working principle
The structure of the forward-pumped EDFA is shown in Figure 1. It consists of a length of erbium-doped fiber,
pump source, optical isolator, wavelength division multiplexer (WDM), and optical filter and other components.

EDF
Isolator WDM Isolator Filter

Signal Amplified
Signal

Pump

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the forward pumped EDFA principle.

In this configuration, the pump light enters from the signal light input, so it is called forward pump, and there are
backward and bidirectional pumping. In practical applications, different structures can be selected according to
different system requirements. In the amplifier, the pump source generally selects a 980 nm laser diode because
980 nm pump light has higher conversion efficiency and lower noise; WDM couples signal light and pump light
into the erbium-doped fiber at the same time; It is a key part of the amplifier; the optical isolator is used to
suppress light reflection and stabilize the amplifier; the optical filter is used to eliminate the spontaneous
emission of the amplifier to reduce noise.

DK Photonics offers a variety of passive components for building EDFA systems, DK Photonics could provide
pump combiner, optical circulator, optical isolator, tap coupler, WDM, in-line polarizer, and PBS with PM fiber or
NO-PM fiber for 1.5um wavelengths. we also provide a combination of a wavelength division multiplexer, tap
coupler and an isolator in a single package, offers integrated solution to EDFA application by combining more
functions into a very compact package. Contact DK Photonics regarding your requirements.

The above content is for reference only, DK Photonics does not assume any responsibility.

December 2018 DK Photonics reserves the right to change any specifications without prior notice. DK-XS-DT-003-B/3