Precision Metrology for Fiber-Amplifier Noise Figure Traceable to a RIN Standard

Published

August 16, 2004

Author(s)

Gregory E. Obarski, Paul D. Hale

Abstract

We developed high-precision metrology for fiber-amplifier noise figure based on application of a relative intensity noise (RIN) standard to the RIN subtraction method. Calibration of a RIN/noise figure measurement system using the standard yields a typical standard uncertainty of <0.25 dB for frequency-resolved noise figure measurements (in the range 0.1-1.1 GHz). The RIN calibration source can either be a DFB laser having practically Poisson-limited RIN, or a thermal light source, such as amplified-spontaneous emission from an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) that is narrow-pass-band filtered (uncertainty <= 0.1 dB/Hz). Thus, an EDFA whose noise figure is to be determined can be used to perform the RIN calibration (as long as it is devoid of multiple path interference). Results obtained from a second electrical method (reported accuracy +/- 0.3 dB) agree to within +/- 0.2 dB.

Citation

Journal of Lightwave Technology

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

amplifier, laser noise, optical noise, relative intensity noise

Citation

Obarski, G. and Hale, P. (2004), Precision Metrology for Fiber-Amplifier Noise Figure Traceable to a RIN Standard, Journal of Lightwave Technology (Accessed October 30, 2025)