Novel multicore erbium-doped fibers for spatially integrated optical amplifiers

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In today's information age, ubiquitous wireless links provide seamless communication access to mobile users. Behind this interface, the data is aggregated and transmitted on high-speed high-capacity optical fiber communications links that are the backbone of today's network carrying information around the world in the blink of an eye. Recent years have seen an increased use of cloud-based services that creates an exponentially rising demand for additional bandwidth, putting great pressure on current network technologies. To solve this bandwidth shortage, a disruptive approach that uses parallel spatial channels to multiply the information in a single fiber strand has been proposed. This new approach requires research in a full suite of devices and subsystems to generate, transmit and detect spatially multiplexed signals. The present proposal is concerned with the optimization of erbium-doped multicore optical fibres for use in spatially integrated optical amplifiersthat periodically compensate signal loss along the link. To be of practical interest, these amplifiers must use cladding pumping, which presents several challenges in terms of performance and pumping efficiency. This project proposes to study the trade-offs involved in the design of multicore cladding pumped amplifiers through engineering of its refractive index and dopant profiles. It involves 1) the development of an accurate and validated model, 2) fabrication of two single core fibers and two multicore fibers, 3) characterization of the composition, gain and noise figure of the erbium doped fibers, 4) integration of the fibers in an amplifier prototype and system characterization on a transmission testbed. This research will be done in collaboration with Alcatel-Lucent Canada (part of Nokia) a company located in Ottawa that manufactures fiber opticscommunication equipment. The spatially integrated amplifier will find application firstly in replacement of eight single core optical amplifiers and secondly as in-line amplifiers for multicore transmission fibers. The technology will give Alacatel-Lucent Canada a technical and commercial edge for its next generation product thereby strengthening the company's position in this competitive market.