Signal power asymmetry optimisation for optical phase conjugation using random DFB laser Raman amplification

We numerically optimise in-span signal power asymmetry in advanced Raman amplification schemes, reaching 3% over 62 km SMF, and evaluate its impact on the performance of systems using mid-link OPC using 7 × 15 16QAM Nyquist-spaced WDM-PDM. © 2015 OSA.

Statistical properties of radiation of multiwavelength random DFB fiber laser

In the presented paper, the temporal and statistical properties of a Lyot filter based multiwavelength random DFB fiber laser with a wide flat spectrum, consisting of individual lines, were investigated. It was shown that separate spectral lines forming the laser spectrum have mostly Gaussian statistics and so represent stochastic radiation, but at the same time the entire radiation is not fully stochastic. A simple model, taking into account phenomenological correlations of the lines' initial phases was established. Radiation structure in the experiment and simulation proved to be different, demanding interactions between different lines to be described via a NLSE-based model.

Unrepeatered transmission through ultra-long fiber laser cavities

We present a study on the potential use of ultra-longlasercavities for unrepeateredfiber communication, based on the theory of nonlinearity management. A comparison is offered between the performance of ultra-longlasers and standard bi-directional distributed amplification schemes in nonrepeated transmission. Links based on both traditional (SMF/DCF) and modern Ultrawave transmissionfibers are considered.

20-km distributed temperature sensor based on spontaneous Brillouin scattering

We report on a novel experimental setup for distributed measurement of temperature, based on spontaneous Brillouin scattering in optical fiber. We have developed a mode-locked Brillouin fiber ring laser in order to generate the dual frequency source required for a heterodyne detection of the backscattered signal. This relatively simple system enables temperature measurements over 20 km with a spatial resolution of 7 m.

22km distributed strain sensor using Brillouin loss in an optical fibre

A novel distributed strain sensor is presented utilizing the strain dependence of the frequency at which the Brillouin loss is maximized in the interaction between a cw laser and a pulsed laser. A strain resolution of 20 µ with a spatial resolution of 5 m has been achieved with a 22 km sensing length.

Combined distributed temperature and strain sensor based on Brillouin loss in an optical fiber

We present a novel distributed sensor that utilizes the temperature and strain dependence of the frequency at which the Brillouin loss is maximized in the interaction between a cw laser and a pulsed laser. With a 22-km sensing length, a strain resolution of 20 µ? and a temperature resolution of 2°C have been achieved with a spatial resolution of 5 m.

32 km distributed temperature sensor based on Brillouin loss in an optical fibre

We present a novel distributed temperature sensor that uses the temperature dependence of the frequency at which the loss is maximized in the interaction between a cw laser and a pulsed laser. With a 32-km sensing length, a temperature resolution of 1°C has been achieved; it is also shown that a spatial resolution of 5 m may be obtained.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography can detect visible and subthreshold laser burns using 532-nm laser

Retinal burns of subthreshold intensity created using micropulsed diode laser, which remain clinically invisible, have been shown to be successful in treating macular edema while minimizing the risk of collateral damage to the retina. A study was conducted to determine whether spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) could be used to detect subthreshold retinal burns created using the 532-nm green wavelength laser. A series of retinal burns of gradually decreasing intensity were created in 10 eyes. Retinal burns produced with duration of laser exposure of 0.03 second or less, although clinically invisible, were detectable on the SD-OCT scan as increased retinal reflectivity confined to the outer retinal layers. This series demonstrates the potential of using SD-OCT imaging to verify delivery of subthreshold laser burns.

32 km distributed temperature sensor based on Brillouin loss in an optical fibre

We present a novel distributed temperature sensor that uses the temperature dependence of the frequency at which the loss is maximized in the interaction between a cw laser and a pulsed laser. With a 32-km sensing length, a temperature resolution of 1°C has been achieved; it is also shown that a spatial resolution of 5 m may be obtained.

Time resolved bit error rate analysis of a fast switching tunable laser for use in optically switched networks

We investigate the use of different direct detection modulation formats in a wavelength switched optical network. We find the minimum time it takes a tunable sampled grating distributed Bragg reflector laser to recover after switching from one wavelength channel to another for different modulation formats. The recovery time is investigated utilizing a field programmable gate array which operates as a time resolved bit error rate detector. The detector offers 93 ps resolution operating at 10.7 Gb/s and allows for all the data received to contribute to the measurement, allowing low bit error rates to be measured at high speed. The recovery times for 10.7 Gb/s non-return-to-zero on–off keyed modulation, 10.7 Gb/s differentially phase shift keyed signal and 21.4 Gb/s differentially quadrature phase shift keyed formats can be as low as 4 ns, 7 ns and 40 ns, respectively. The time resolved phase noise associated with laser settling is simultaneously measured for 21.4 Gb/s differentially quadrature phase shift keyed data and it shows that the phase noise coupled with frequency error is the primary limitation on transmitting immediately after a laser switching event.

Dual wavelength Q-switched cascade laser

A diode-cladding-pumped dual wavelength Q-switched Ho3+ -doped fluoride cascade fiber laser operating in the mid-infrared is demonstrated. Stable pulse trains from the 5|6 -> 5|7 and 5|7 -> 5|8 laser transitions were produced, and the µs-level time delay between the pulses from each transition was dependent on the pump power. At maximum pump power and at an acousto-optic modulator repetition rate of 25 kHz, the 5|8 -> 5|7 transition pulse operated at 3.005 µm, a pulse energy of 29 µJ, and a pulse width of 380 ns; the 5|7 -> 5|8 transition pulse correspondingly produced 7 µJ pulse energy and 260 ns pulse width at 2.074 µm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a Q-switched fiber laser operating beyond 3 µm.

Tuned cascade laser

Tuning of a diode-cladding-pumped cascade Ho3+ -doped fluoride fiber laser is demonstrated using a single plane ruled diffraction grating. At the maximum available pump power, a tuning range 2955-3021 nm, an output power of >500 mW, and a bandwidth of <1nm was achieved for tuning across the 5|6 -> 5|7 transition. In a separate experiment, the  5|7 -> 5|8 laser transition was tuned from 2064 to 2082 nm (with a bandwidth of <0.5 nm) which simultaneously shortened the average emission wavelen 5|6 -> 5|7 length of the free-running  laser transition of the cascade from 2.959 to 2.954 µm. This demonstration represents the first fiber laser that can tune beyond 3 µm.

Tunable random fiber laser

An optical fiber is treated as a natural one-dimensional random system where lasing is possible due to a combination of Rayleigh scattering by refractive index inhomogeneities and distributed amplification through the Raman effect. We present such a random fiber laser that is tunable over a broad wavelength range with uniquely flat output power and high efficiency, which outperforms traditional lasers of the same category. Outstanding characteristics defined by deep underlying physics and the simplicity of the scheme make the demonstrated laser a very attractive light source both for fundamental science and practical applications.

Optical burst-switched SSB-OFDM using a fast switching SG-DBR laser

The application of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) in an optical burst-switched system employing a single fast switching sample grating-distributed Bragg reflector (SG-DBR) laser is demonstrated experimentally. The effect of filter profiles compatible with 50, 25, and 12.5 GHz wavelength-division multiplexing grids on the system is investigated with system performance examined in terms of error vector magnitude per subcarrier for OFDM burst data beginning at various times after a switching event. Additionally the placement of the OFDM training sequence within the data burst and its effect on the system is investigated.

22km distributed strain sensor using Brillouin loss in an optical fibre

A novel distributed strain sensor is presented utilizing the strain dependence of the frequency at which the Brillouin loss is maximized in the interaction between a cw laser and a pulsed laser. A strain resolution of 20 µ with a spatial resolution of 5 m has been achieved with a 22 km sensing length.