U.S. patent application number 10/615187 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-14 for raman amplification method and optical signal transmission method using same.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Emori, Yoshihiro, Namiki, Shu.
Application Number | 20050078352 10/615187 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26480874 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050078352 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Emori, Yoshihiro ; et
al. |
April 14, 2005 |
RAMAN AMPLIFICATION METHOD AND OPTICAL SIGNAL TRANSMISSION METHOD
USING SAME
Abstract
First pump light for Raman-amplifying optical signal is inputted
to the output end of the optical signal, and second pump light used
for Raman-amplifying the first pump light and having a wavelength
shorter than that of the first pump light is inputted to the input
end of the optical signal. The second pump light is also inputted
to the output end of the optical signal. The first pump light is
also inputted to the input end of the optical signal. The Raman
amplification band of the second pump light is made not to be
overlapped with that of the optical signal. The wavelength of the
second pump light is shorter than that of the first pump light by
the Raman shift of the amplifier fiber. The light source of either
the first or second pump light or both the light sources of them
are multiplex optical sources. The first pump light is emitted from
a semiconductor laser. Third pump light for Raman-amplifying the
second pump light is directed to an optical transmission line. The
optical signal is transmitted through a transmission line using the
Raman amplification method.
Inventors: |
Emori, Yoshihiro;
(Chiyoda-ku, JP) ; Namiki, Shu; (Chiyoda-ku,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
THE FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO.,
LTD.
Chiyoda-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
26480874 |
Appl. No.: |
10/615187 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10615187 |
Jul 9, 2003 |
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09774026 |
Jan 31, 2001 |
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6633697 |
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09774026 |
Jan 31, 2001 |
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PCT/JP00/03439 |
May 29, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
359/334 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01S 3/302 20130101;
H01S 3/094011 20130101; H04B 10/2916 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
359/334 |
International
Class: |
H01S 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 31, 1999 |
JP |
11-151723 |
Nov 29, 1999 |
JP |
11-338639 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A Raman amplification method according to claim 8, wherein a
wavelength difference between the optical signal and said second
pump light being in an inclusive range of 20 THz through 26
THz.
3. (canceled)
4. A Raman amplification method according to claim 2, wherein: a
wavelength difference between the optical signal and the second
pump light being not less than 18 THz and a wavelength difference
between the optical signal and the third pump light being not less
than 18 THz.
5-6. (canceled)
7. A Raman amplification method according to claim 8, wherein said
second pump light having a different central wavelength than said
third pump light.
8. A Raman amplification method comprising steps of: inputting from
a signal output end of an optical fiber a first pump light so as to
Raman-amplify an optical signal in said optical fiber; inputting
from a signal input end of the optical fiber a second pump light
having a shorter wavelength than the first pump light so as to
Raman-amplify the first pump light, but not substantially amplify
said optical signal; and inputting from said signal output end of
the optical fiber a third pump light with a shorter wavelength than
the first pump light so as to Raman-amplify said first pump light,
but not substantially amplify said optical signal, wherein said
second pump light propagates in said optical fiber in a direction
substantially opposite to that of said third pump light.
9. A Raman amplification method according to claim 8, wherein: the
central wavelength of said second pump light being shorter in
wavelength than that of the first pump light by an amount of a
Raman shift.
10. A Raman amplification method according to claim 8, wherein:
said central wavelength of said second pump light not overlapping
said optical signal.
11. A Raman amplification method according to claim 8, wherein: the
central wavelength of said second pump light being shorter in
wavelength than that of the first pump light by about an amount of
a Raman shift.
12. A Raman amplification method according to claim 8, wherein:
said second pump light is a wavelength division multiplex
light.
13. A Raman amplification method according to claim 8, further
comprising a step of: producing said first pump light from a
semiconductor laser light source.
14. A Raman amplification method according to claim 8, further
comprising a step of: introducing a fourth pump light so as to
Raman-amplify said second pump light.
15. A Raman amplification method according to claim 8, further
comprising a step of: inputting into said signal input end of said
optical fiber a fifth pump light configured to Raman-amplify said
optical signal.
16. A Raman amplification method according to claim 15, further
comprising a step of: producing said first pump light from a
semiconductor laser light source.
17. A Raman amplification method of claim 8, wherein said third
pump light amplifies said second pump light.
18. The method of claim 8, further comprising: avoiding
deterioration of system noise figure by maintaining a level of the
optical signal to be substantially the same or greater than input
and output levels throughout an entire span of the optical
fiber.
19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising a step of:
introducing from said signal output end of said optical fiber a
third pump light so as to Raman-amplify said first pump light.
20. The method according to claim 18, wherein: a central wavelength
of said second pump light being shorter in wavelength than that of
the first pump light by an amount of a Raman shift.
21. The method according to claim 18, wherein: said central
wavelength of said second pump light not overlapping a wavelength
of said optical signal.
22. The method according to claim 18, wherein: a central wavelength
of said second pump light being shorter in wavelength than that of
the first pump light by about an amount of a Raman shift.
23. The method according to claim 18, wherein: said second pump
light is a wavelength division multiplex light.
24. The method according to claim 18, wherein: a difference between
said level of said signal through the entire span of said optical
fiber and input/output levels being within 0.5 dB.
25. An optical transmission method comprising steps of: inputting
from a signal output end of an optical fiber a first pump light so
as to Raman-amplify an optical signal in said optical fiber;
inputting from a signal input end of the optical fiber a second
pump light having a shorter wavelength than the first pump light so
as to Raman-amplify the first pump light; and controlling a
wavelength dependency of a system noise figure by selecting a
central wavelength of said second pump light to be a predetermined
wavelength.
26. An optical transmission method according to claim 25, wherein:
said controlling step includes controlling both noise figure and
gain.
27. An optical transmission method according to claim 25, wherein:
said controlling step includes flattening a wavelength dependency
of the noise figure.
28. An optical transmission method according to claim 25, wherein:
said second pump light is a wavelength division multiplex
light.
29. An optical transmission method according to claim 25, wherein:
said second pump light is not a wavelength division multiplex
light.
30. The Raman amplification method according to claim 8, wherein: a
wavelength difference between the optical signal and said second
pump light being not less than 18 THz.
31. A Raman amplification method according to claim 8, wherein:
Said third pump light amplifies said second pump light.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a Raman amplification
method used in optical communication system and an optical
transmission method using such a method.
[0003] 2. Related Background Art
[0004] A frequency component (wavelength component) of an optical
signal intensity of which is modulated and which has been used in
existing optical communication system has a certain width. On the
other hand, an optical fiber has a dispersion property that a
propagating speed is changed depending upon a wavelength. Due to
these two properties, when the optical signal is propagated through
the optical fiber, a signal wave form is distorted because of
difference in propagating speed between the wavelength components.
When a pulse is inputted as the optical signal, since a pulse width
is widened after propagation, this phenomenon is called as "pulse
broadening due to dispersion" (for example, refer to Foundation Of
Optical Waveguide written by Katsunari Okamoto and published From
Corona Co.).
[0005] Although digital format is resistant to the change of wave
form than analog format, error in detection is considerably
increased if the overlap with adjacent bits become greater due to
pulse broadening. To avoid this, in the prior arts, a wavelength
having smaller (near zero) dispersion has been used to suppress the
pulse broadening or spread pulse has been returned to the original
form by delaying the wavelength component preceding through medium
having dispersion opposite to that of the transmission line and by
hastening the delayed wavelength component.
[0006] However, in the recent optical communication system, due to
high output of the optical signal and multiplexing of the
wavelength, a non-linear phenomenon within the optical fiber has
become noticeable and distortion of the wave form could not be
coped with only in the view point of dispersion. Main non-linear
phenomena in question include self phase modulation (SPM), cross
phase modulation (XPM) and four wave mixing (FWM). In SPM and XPM,
phase of light is changed by a little change in refractive index of
the optical fiber caused in accordance with light intensity. Since
the change in phase causes instantaneous change in frequency and
the changed amount is not constant, non-reversible wave form
distortion is generated by the dispersion property of the optical
fiber. The FWM is a phenomenon in which, when a polarization field
is induced by plural inputted lights having different frequency,
components different from the frequencies of the inputted lights
are created, thereby generating light having new frequency. The FWM
becomes noticeable particularly when the dispersion is near zero.
If the light generated by the FWM coincides with the wavelength
used as the signal, the error in detection will be increased.
[0007] As means for preventing deterioration of the transmission
property based on such non-linearity of the optical fiber, there
are two approaches. First approach is a method for reducing light
intensity within the optical fiber to decrease the non-linear
effect, and a second approach is a method for using a transmission
method utilizing the non-linear effect. The former method can be
realized by merely lowering an input level to the optical fiber or
by utilizing an optical fiber having a large mode field diameter.
The latter method can be realized by utilizing optical soliton.
However, even when these methods are used, there remain the
following problems.
[0008] If the input level to the optical fiber is lowered, since a
signal/noise ratio (S/N ratio) at a receiving side is decreased,
the error in detection will be increased. This can be interpreted
so that a transmittable distance becomes shorter. Since the optical
fiber having the large mode field diameter has a large dispersion
slope (wavelength dependency of dispersion), it is difficult to set
optimum dispersion with respect to all of channels in which the
wavelengths are multiplexed. In the optical soliton communication
system, due to perturbation (such as transmission loss or
unevenness of dispersion) existing in the actual transmission line,
dispersive wave out of the soliton condition are generated, which
deteriorate the transmission property. As mentioned above, although
the existing optical communication systems must be designed in
careful consideration of several limitation factors, if there is no
loss in the optical fiber as the optical transmission line, such
limitations will be greatly relaxed. For example, in the
transmission line having no loss, since there is no deterioration
of the S/N ratio based on the propagation loss, the limitation
factors caused by lowering the input level to the optical fiber are
relaxed. Further, when the transmission line having no loss is
applied to the optical soliton system, generation of the dispersive
wave is greatly reduced. As one of conventional optical
transmission lines most approaching to the transmission line having
no loss, there is an optical transmission line in which loss is
compensated by a Raman amplification.
[0009] A Raman amplification method utilizing Raman scattering of
an optical fiber has advantages that the optical transmission line
itself becomes an amplifier fiber and that any wavelength band can
be amplified. In case of a silica-based optical fiber, peak of gain
is generated at a long wavelength side greater than a wavelength of
a pump light, i.e., in a frequency band having smaller frequency
(than that of pump light) by about 13 THz. For example, 13 THz is a
difference between wavelengths of 1450 nm and 1547 nm. Wavelength
difference or frequency difference between the pump light and the
gain peak is called as "Raman shift" which is a value depending
upon composition of the optical fiber.
[0010] In general, in the Raman amplification method for
communication, as shown in FIG. 21, a backward pumping scheme in
which the pump light and the optical signal are propagated in
opposite directions is adopted. Since a mechanism for generating
Raman gain is operated at very high speed, in a forward pumping
scheme in which the pump light and the optical signal are
propagated in the same directions, fluctuation of intensity of the
pump light is overlapped with the signal wave form as it is, with
the result that the transmission property is deteriorated greatly.
This is also described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
9-318981.
[0011] FIGS. 22 to 27 show general properties of intensity
distribution of the pump light and optical signal along a
longitudinal direction within the amplifier fiber of the Raman
amplification method utilizing the conventional backward pumping
scheme (regarding calculating methods, refer to "Nonlinear Fiber
Optics", Chap. 8, written by G. P. Agrawal and published from
Academic Press, "Applied Optics", Vol. 11, pp. 2489-2494, written
by R. G. Smith and published in 1972, and "J. Quantum Electron",
Vol. QE-14, pp. 347-352, written by J. Auyeung and A. Yariv and
published in 1978).
[0012] As Raman amplifiers utilizing the Raman amplification
method, there are a distributed type in which the optical
transmission line is used as the amplifier fiber, and a lumped type
in which the amplifier fiber is provided independently from the
optical transmission line. In the following explanation, the
distributed type will be described. However, also in the lumped
type, since performance of the optical signal and pump light in the
amplifier fiber can be expressed by the same formula, the same
effect can be achieved, although parameter values are
different.
[0013] FIG. 22 is a graph showing change in pump light power and
change in optical signal power. In this graph, a curve a indicates
the optical signal power when incident power of the pump light is
100 mW (curve {circle over (1)}), a curve b indicates the optical
signal power when incident power of the pump light is 200 mW (curve
{circle over (2)}), and a curve c indicates the optical signal
power when incident power of the pump light is 300 mW (curve
{circle over (3)}). In the graph, a curve d indicates the optical
signal power when the pump light is not inputted. As apparent from
the curve d in the graph, when the pump light is not inputted, the
optical signal power is attenuated in proportion to a propagating
distance. When the pump light having attenuation constant of 0.25
dB/km is inputted, the Raman amplification is generated, thereby
increasing the optical signal power. An increased amount of power
is Raman gain. As apparent from a relationship between the curves
{circle over (1)} to {circle over (3)} and the curves a to c in the
graph shown in FIG. 22, the magnitude of the Raman gain is
substantially in proportion to the incident power of the pump
light. Since the pump light is also attenuated in proportion to the
propagating distance, in the vicinity of a signal input end,
intensity of the pump light becomes small, and, thus, the Raman
gain is also small. Accordingly, the optical signal is attenuated
at positions near the input end, and, it is subjected to great gain
in the vicinity of an output end (end on which the pump light is
inputted: in this example, position spaced apart from the input end
by 50 km). If the intensity of the optical signal is sufficiently
small, since the attenuation of the pump light depends upon the
propagation loss, the intensity distribution of the pump light
along the longitudinal direction is determined reasonably by the
attenuation constant of the amplifier fiber. The distribution of
the Raman gain along the longitudinal direction (intensity
distribution of the optical signal along the longitudinal
direction) is determined in accordance with the intensity
distribution of the pump light along the longitudinal
direction.
[0014] FIG. 23 is a graph showing the optical signal power in a
case where attenuation constant .alpha.s of the optical signal is
changed when the incident power of the pump light is constant and
attenuation constant .alpha.p thereof is also constant (0.25
dB/km). A curve {circle over (1)} in this graph indicates a case
where the attenuation constant .alpha.s is 0.3 dB/km, a curve
{circle over (2)} indicates a case where the attenuation constant
.alpha.s is 0.25 dB/km, and a curve {circle over (3)} indicates a
case where the attenuation constant .alpha.s is 0.2 dB/km. As
apparent from the graph shown in FIG. 23, the intensity
distribution of the optical signal along the longitudinal direction
within the optical transmission line is varied with the attenuation
constant .alpha.s of the optical signal.
[0015] FIG. 24 is a graph showing change in optical signal power in
a case where attenuation constant .alpha.p of the pump light is
changed when the incident power of the pump light is constant and
the attenuation constant .alpha.s of the optical signal is
constant. A curve a in this graph indicates the optical signal
power when the attenuation constant .alpha.p of the pump light is
0.3 dB/km (curve {circle over (1)}), a curve b indicates the
optical signal power when the attenuation constant .alpha.p is 0.25
dB/km (curve {circle over (2)}), and a curve c indicates the
optical signal power when the attenuation constant .alpha.p is 0.2
dB/km (curve {circle over (3)}). As apparent from the graph shown
in FIG. 24, when the attenuation constant .alpha.p of the pump
light is changed, since the intensity distribution of the pump
light along the longitudinal direction within the optical
transmission line is different, the intensity distribution of the
optical signal in the same direction is changed.
[0016] FIG. 25 is a graph showing a relationship between the pump
light power and the optical signal power when a length of the
amplifier fiber is changed. In this case, the incident power of the
pump light is constant and the attenuation constants of the optical
signal and the pump light are selected to be the same. From this
graph, it can be found that, when the length of the amplifier fiber
is changed, since the intensity distribution of the pump light
along the longitudinal direction within the optical fiber is
different, the intensity distribution of the optical signal in the
same direction is also changed. In the graph shown in FIG. 25,
curves {circle over (1)} to {circle over (5)} indicate the pump
light powers when the length of the amplifier fiber is 10 km, 20
km, 30 km, 40 km and 50 km, respectively, and curves a to e
indicate the optical signals powers when the length of the
amplifier fiber is 10 km, 20 km, 30 km, 40 km and 50 km,
respectively.
[0017] FIG. 26 is a graph showing change in optical signal power
when the incident power of the pump light is constant and the
attenuation constants of the optical signal and pump light are the
same and Raman gain coefficient g.sub.R of the optical signal is
different. In this graph, a curve a indicates the optical signal
power when the gain coefficient g.sub.R is 1/3.times.10.sup.-13
m/W, a curve b indicates the optical signal power when the gain
coefficient g.sub.R is 2/3.times.10.sup.-13 m/W, and a curve c
indicates the optical signal power when the gain coefficient
g.sub.R is 1.times.10.sup.-13 m/W. As apparent from this graph,
when the magnitude of the Raman gain coefficient g.sub.R is
changed, the magnitude of the Raman gain generated is changed, and
the intensity distribution of the optical signal along the
longitudinal direction within the optical transmission line is
changed.
[0018] FIG. 27 is a graph showing change in optical signal power
when the forward pumping is effected by the pump light having the
constant incident power and when the backward pumping is effected.
In this graph, a curve a indicates the optical signal power in the
forward pumping, and a curve b indicates the optical signal power
in the backward pumping. The value g.sub.R shown here is a value
when the pumping wavelength is 1 .mu.m. As apparent from this
graph, if the pumping scheme is different, since the intensity
distribution of the pump light along the longitudinal direction
within the optical transmission line is different, the distribution
of the Raman gain generated is changed, and the distribution of the
optical signal is also changed. Incidentally, in the graph, a curve
{circle over (1)} indicates power in the forward pumping and a
curve {circle over (2)} indicates power in the backward
pumping.
[0019] As general performance of a noise property of the
transmission system using the optical amplifier, the fact that the
noise property is greatly deteriorated by signal loss before the
optical amplification. Thus, as is in the optical amplifier, when
the amplifying effect has distribution along the longitudinal
direction of the optical fiber, the noise property is deteriorated
by loss at a position near the input end of the amplifier. On the
other hand, in case of the backward pumping scheme, since the
intensity of the pump light becomes smaller at the input end of the
optical signal due to the propagation loss of the amplification
optical fiber, the amplifying action at the input end of the
optical signal also becomes small. Accordingly, in the backward
pumping scheme, the loss at the input end of the optical signal
becomes relatively great, which may deteriorate the noise property
of the amplifier. Thus, in order to construct a Raman amplifier
having good noise property, it was conventional or customary to use
an optical fiber having small loss (with respect to both optical
signal and pump light) as small as possible and to use an optical
fiber having short length as short as possible.
[0020] On the other hand, in case of the Raman amplifier of
distributed type in which the optical transmission line is used as
the amplifier fiber, a high S/N ratio must be maintained while
suppressing the non-linear effect in the optical transmission line.
To this end, it is ideal to obtain a condition of a non-loss
transmission line in which a level of the optical signal along the
longitudinal direction within the optical transmission line becomes
constant, and, in this case, it is desirable that intensity of the
pump light also becomes constant along the longitudinal direction
of the optical transmission line. However, in the prior art, a
distance by which this can be achieved was relatively short and
such a distance was determined reasonably by parameters (fiber
length, gain coefficient, attenuation constants of the pump light
and optical signal) of the optical fiber constituting the optical
transmission line. The reason is that the distribution of the pump
light along the longitudinal direction of the optical transmission
line could not be controlled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] An object of the present invention is to provide a Raman
amplification method capable of improving a noise property of an
amplifier by controlling intensity distribution of pump light along
a longitudinal direction of an optical transmission line and
capable of realizing a condition nearer to a non-loss transmission
line than conventional Raman amplification methods, and an optical
signal transmission method utilizing such an amplifying method.
[0022] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a Raman amplification method utilizing Raman scattering
within an optical fiber and in which first pump light for
Raman-amplifying optical signal is inputted from a optical signal
output end of an amplifier fiber and second pump light having a
wavelength shorter than that of the first pump light and adapted to
Raman-amplify the first pump light is inputted from an optical
signal input end of the optical fiber.
[0023] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in
the above-mentioned Raman amplification method, the second pump
light is also inputted from the optical signal output end of the
amplifying fiber.
[0024] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the
above-mentioned Raman amplification method, the first pump light is
also inputted from the optical signal input end of the amplifier
fiber.
[0025] According to fourth to ninth aspects of the present
invention, in any one of the above-mentioned Raman amplification
methods, the following features are incorporated. That is to say,
in a Raman amplification method according to the fourth aspect, the
second pump light has a wavelength shorter than a wavelength of the
first pump light by an amount corresponding to Raman shift of the
amplifier fiber.
[0026] In a Raman amplification method according to the fifth
aspect, a Raman amplifying band of the second pump light is not
overlapped with a wavelength band of the optical signal.
[0027] In a Raman amplification method according to the sixth
aspect, a wavelength of the second pump light is slightly deviated
from a wavelength shorter than a wavelength of the first pump light
by an amount corresponding to Raman shift of the amplifier
fiber.
[0028] In a Raman amplification method according to the seventh
aspect, one or both of the first and second pump lights is used as
a wavelength division multiplexing pump source constituted by a
plurality of wavelengths.
[0029] In a Raman amplification method according to the eighth
aspect, a semiconductor laser is used for the first pump light.
[0030] In a Raman amplification method according to the ninth
aspect, third pump light is introduced into the optical
transmission line to Raman-amplify the second pump light.
[0031] The present invention further provides a method for
propagating the optical signal while maintaining a level of the
optical signal to substantially constant in a longitudinal
direction of the optical transmission line by using any one of the
above-mentioned Raman amplification methods. The present invention
still further provides an optical signal transmission method in
which a soliton signal wavelength of which is multiplexed is used
as the optical signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a Raman amplification
method according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a view showing comparison result of intensity
distributions of first pump light along a longitudinal direction of
an optical fiber between a case where second pump light is inputted
and a case where the second pump light is not inputted in the Raman
amplification method shown in FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a view showing comparison result of intensity
distributions of optical signal along a longitudinal direction of
an optical fiber between a case where the second pump light is
inputted and a case where the second pump light is not inputted in
the Raman amplification method shown in FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a view showing comparison result of the intensity
distributions of the first pump light along the longitudinal
direction of the optical fiber between a case where the second pump
light is inputted from a optical signal input end and a case where
the second pump light is inputted from an optical signal output end
in the Raman amplification method shown in FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a view showing comparison result of the intensity
distributions of optical signal along the longitudinal direction of
the optical fiber between a case where the second pump light is
inputted from the optical signal input end and a case where the
second pump light is inputted from the optical signal output end in
the Raman amplification method shown in FIG. 1;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a view showing change in optical signal when a
combination of the first and second pump lights is changed under a
condition that gain of the signal is constant in the Raman
amplification method shown in FIG. 1;
[0038] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a Raman amplification
method according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 8 is a view showing intensity distribution of the
optical signal in the Raman amplification methods shown in FIGS. 1
and 7 and in a conventional Raman amplification method;
[0040] FIG. 9 is a view showing pump power required for making
minimum levels of the optical signals equal in the Raman
amplification methods shown in FIGS. 1 and 7.
[0041] FIG. 10 is a view showing the intensity distribution of the
optical signal when wavelength intervals of the first and second
pump lights are differentiated under a condition that input and
output levels and minimum level of the optical signal become equal
in the Raman amplification method shown in FIG. 1;
[0042] FIG. 11 is a comparison view showing the intensity
distribution of the first pump light along the longitudinal
direction of the optical fiber under the same condition as that of
FIG. 10;
[0043] FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a Raman amplification
method according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0044] FIG. 13 is a view showing a conventional Raman amplification
method nearest to the Raman amplification method shown in FIG.
12;
[0045] FIG. 14 is a view showing intensity distribution of optical
signal along a longitudinal direction of an optical fiber;
[0046] FIG. 15 is a view showing intensity distribution of first
pump light along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber
under the same condition as FIG. 14;
[0047] FIG. 16 is a view showing difference in relay distance when
level variation widths of optical signals are set to be
substantially the same;
[0048] FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a Raman amplification
method according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0049] FIG. 18 is a view showing the fact that gain received by one
of first pump lights having multiplexed wavelengths can be made
greater than gain received by the other pump light by appropriately
selecting a wavelength of second pump light;
[0050] FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of gain shape with
respect to a wavelength band of the first pump light when a
wavelength division multiplexing pump source is used for the second
pump light;
[0051] FIG. 20 is a schematic view of a wavelength division
multiplexing soliton communication system using an optical
transmission line to which the Raman amplification method shown in
FIG. 12 is applied;
[0052] FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing a conventional Raman
amplification method;
[0053] FIG. 22 is a view showing change in optical signal power
when pump light is not inputted and when the pump light is inputted
in the conventional Raman amplification method and when incident
power of the pump light is changed;
[0054] FIG. 23 is a view showing change in optical signal power
depending upon change in attenuation constant of the optical signal
in the conventional Raman amplification method;
[0055] FIG. 24 is a view showing change in pump light and optical
signal depending upon change in attenuation constant of the pump
light in the conventional Raman amplification method;
[0056] FIG. 25 is a view showing intensity distributions of the
pump light and the optical signal when a length of an amplifier
fiber is changed in the conventional Raman amplification
method;
[0057] FIG. 26 is a view showing change in optical signal when
Raman gain coefficient is changed in the conventional Raman
amplification method; and
[0058] FIG. 27 is an explanatory view showing intensity
distributions of the pump light and the optical signal upon forward
pumping and backward pumping in the conventional Raman
amplification method.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0059] (First Embodiment)
[0060] A Raman amplification method according to a first embodiment
of the present invention will now be fully explained with reference
to FIG. 1. An optical fiber 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an optical fiber
of any type which constitutes an optical transmission line or an
optical amplifier of lumped type and may include, for example, SMF,
DSF, NZ-DSF, LEAF, RDF, dispersion compensating fiber and
non-linear device fiber. In an optical communication system using
the optical fiber 1, when optical signal (having a wavelength of
.lambda..sub.S) is propagated through the optical fiber 1, first
pump light (having a wavelength of .lambda..sub.P1) is inputted
from an optical signal output end 2 and second pump light (having a
wavelength of .lambda..sub.P2) is inputted from an optical signal
input end 3. As a result, both the first and second pump lights are
existed in the optical fiber 1, and the first pump light is
amplified by Raman amplification of the second pump light, and
light intensity of the first pump light in the vicinity of the
optical signal input end 3 becomes greater than that when there is
no second pump light. Accordingly, deterioration of an S/N ratio
based on propagation loss at the optical signal input end 3 is
relaxed, thereby improving a noise property of the transmission
method. Further, since the second pump light is inputted from the
input end 3, light intensity of the second pump light in the
vicinity of the optical signal input end 3 becomes greater in
comparison with the case where the second pump light is inputted
from the optical signal output end 2, with the result that gain of
the first pump light received from the second pump light in the
vicinity of the optical signal input end 3 can be increased
efficiently, thereby improving the noise property of the Raman
amplifier efficiently.
[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the wavelength
.lambda..sub.P2 of the second pump light is selected to be shorter
than the wavelength .lambda..sub.P1 of the first pump light by an
amount corresponding to Raman shift of the optical fiber 1
(amplifier fiber 1). When these wavelengths have such a
relationship, the first pump light is subjected to Raman
amplification by the second pump light most efficiently. However,
so long as the wavelength .lambda..sub.P2 of the second pump light
is shorter than the wavelength .lambda..sub.P1 of the first pump
light, since the amplification can be achieved, it is not
necessarily limited that the wavelength .lambda..sub.P2 of the
second pump light is shorter than the wavelength .lambda..sub.P1 of
the first pump light by the amount corresponding to the Raman shift
of the amplifier fiber 1. For example, the second pump light may
have a wavelength slightly deviated from a wavelength shorter than
the wavelength .lambda..sub.P1 of the first pump light by the
amount corresponding to the Raman shift of the amplifier fiber 1.
If slightly deviated in this way, gain coefficient of Raman gain of
the first pump light received from the second pump light can be
reduced voluntarily. For example, if the wavelength is deviated
from the wavelength shorter by the amount corresponding to the
Raman shift by about 20 to 30 nm, the gain coefficient is reduced
to about a half. This can be used as control means for controlling
intensity distribution of the first pump light along a longitudinal
direction of the amplifier fiber 1 and can be utilized to optimize
the noise property when input and output levels of the amplifier
are designated.
[0062] As explained in connection with the prior art, in the
forward pumping scheme in which the pump light and the optical
signal are propagated in the same direction, the unevenness of
intensity of the pump light is overlapped with the signal wave form
as it is, with the result that the transmission property is
deteriorated greatly. Thus, it is desirable that the pump light
generating the Raman gain be propagated in the direction opposite
to that of the optical signal. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment,
the first pump light is inputted from the optical signal output end
2 (from the direction opposite to that of the optical signal),
thereby suppressing the deterioration of the transmission
property.
[0063] As is in the illustrated embodiment, when the second pump
light is propagated in the same direction as that of the optical
signal, if the gain band is overlapped with the gain band of the
optical signal, the unevenness of intensity of the pump light is
overlapped with the signal wave form as it is, with the result that
the transmission property is deteriorated greatly. To avoid this,
in the illustrated embodiment, it is designed so that the gain
bands of the second pump light and the optical signal which are
propagated in the same direction are not overlapped with each other
thereby to suppress the deterioration of the transmission property.
For example, the wavelength of the second pump light may be spaced
apart from the wavelength of the optical signal by about 20
THz.
[0064] In the transmission system using the optical amplifier, it
is known that the noise property is greatly deteriorated if the
optical signal is subjected to loss greater than an amplified
amount after amplification of the optical signal, similar to a case
where the optical signal is subjected to loss before amplification
of the optical signal (refer to "Optical Amplifier and Its
Applications", p 26, written by Ishio et al and published from Ohm
Co.). Accordingly, when the amplifier fiber is relatively long as
is in the Raman amplifier, in the view point of the noise property,
it is desirable that the level of the optical signal within the
optical fiber maintained as high as possible. As is in multi-stage
relay effected by an amplifier of distributed type, when the input
and output levels of the optical signal are substantially the same,
it is desirable that the level of the optical signal through the
entire optical transmission line be mainitained to be substantially
the same or greater than the input and output levels. For example,
as described in "Nonlinear Fiber Optics", Chap. 8, written by G. P.
Agrawal and published from Academic Press, since differential
coefficient of the intensity of the optical signal in the
propagating direction is expressed by the following equation (1),
when the gain coefficient (g.sub.R) of the amplifier fiber and the
loss coefficient (.alpha..sub.S: attenuation constant of optical
signal) are given, the intensity of the pump light for making the
differential coefficient of the intensity of the optical signal in
the propagating direction "zero" can be sought as
I.sub.P=.alpha..sub.S/g.sub.R. Accordingly, if the intensity of the
pump light is smaller than .alpha..sub.S/g.sub.R, the optical
signal is attenuated as it is propagated, whereas, if the intensity
of the pump light is greater than .alpha..sub.S/g.sub.R, the
optical signal is increased as it is propagated. Thus, although it
is ideal that the intensity of the pump light is
.alpha..sub.S/g.sub.R at all positions in the optical transmission
line, in actual, it is practical that the intensity is fallen
within a certain range near .alpha..sub.S/g.sub.R. By doing so, the
level of the optical signal along the longitudinal direction of the
optical transmission line can be maintained to substantially
constant, thereby obtaining good noise property.
dI.sub.s/dz=(g.sub.RI.sub.P-.alpha..sub.S)I.sub.S (1)
[0065] FIG. 2 is a graph showing comparison result of the intensity
distributions of the first pump light along the longitudinal
direction of the optical fiber 1 between a case where the second
pump light is inputted and a case where the second pump light is
not inputted in the Raman amplification method according to the
first embodiment. From this graph, it can be seen that, when the
second pump light is not inputted, the intensity distribution of
the first pump light is attenuated in an exponential function
manner by the propagation loss of the optical fiber, whereas, when
the second pump light is inputted, since the first pump light is
amplified, the intensity of the first pump light is increased at
the optical signal input end.
[0066] FIG. 3 is a graph showing comparison result of the intensity
distributions of the optical signal along the longitudinal
direction of the optical fiber 1 between a case where the second
pump light is inputted and a case where the second pump light is
not inputted in the Raman amplification method according to the
first embodiment. From this graph, it can be guessed that the
intensity of the optical signal in the vicinity of the optical
signal input end when the second pump light exists is greater than
when the second pump light does not exist, thereby improving the
noise property.
[0067] FIG. 4 is a graph showing comparison result of the intensity
distributions of the first pump light along the longitudinal
direction of the optical fiber 1 between a case where the second
pump light is inputted from the optical signal input end ("3" in
FIG. 1) and a case where the second pump light is inputted from the
optical signal output end ("2" in FIG. 1) in the Raman
amplification method according to the first embodiment. From this
graph, it can be seen that, since the intensity of the second pump
light in the vicinity of the input end 3 can be increased greater
when the second pump light is inputted from the optical signal
input end 3 than when the second pump light is inputted from the
optical signal output end 2, the gain of the first pump light
received from the second pump light in the vicinity of the input
end 3 becomes great, thereby increasing the intensity of the first
pump light.
[0068] FIG. 5 is a graph showing comparison result of the intensity
distributions of the optical signal along the longitudinal
direction of the optical fiber 1 between a case where the second
pump light is inputted from the optical signal input end ("3" in
FIG. 1) and a case where the second pump light is inputted from the
optical signal output end ("2" in FIG. 1) in the Raman
amplification method according to the first embodiment. From this
graph, it can be guessed that the intensity of the optical signal
in the vicinity of the optical signal input end 3 when the second
pump light is inputted from the input end 3 is greater than when
the second pump light is inputted from the output end 2, thereby
improving the noise property.
[0069] FIG. 6 is a graph showing change in optical signal power
when a combination of incident powers of the first and second pump
lights is changed under a condition that the gain of the optical
signal is constant in the Raman amplification method according to
the first embodiment. In the graph shown in FIG. 6, a curve {circle
over (1)} indicates a case where the incident power of the first
pump light is 100 mW and the incident power of the second pump
light is 1100 mW, a curve {circle over (2)} indicates a case where
the incident power of the first pump light is 150 mW and the
incident power of the second pump light is 370 mW, and a curve
{circle over (3)} indicates a case where the incident power of the
first pump light is 200 mW and the incident power of the second
pump light is 0 mW. From this graph, it can be seen that the
minimum level of the optical signal on the way of the optical fiber
can be controlled by adjusting both powers of the first and second
pump lights, and, by setting the minimum level to a high value, the
noise property can be improved.
[0070] (Second Embodiment)
[0071] Now, a Raman amplification method according to a second
embodiment of the present invention will be explained with
reference to FIG. 7. A fundamental construction of the second
embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. The
difference is that, as shown in FIG. 7, the second pump lights
(having a wavelength of .lambda..sub.P2) are inputted not only from
the optical signal input end 3 but also from the output end 2. Also
in this case, similar to the first embodiment, the wavelength
.lambda..sub.P2 of the second pump light can be selected to be
shorter than the wavelength .lambda..sub.P1 of the first pump light
or can be selected to a wavelength shorter than the wavelength
.lambda..sub.P1 of the first pump light by an amount corresponding
to Raman shift of the optical fiber 1 (amplifier fiber 1) or can be
selected to a wavelength slightly deviated from the wavelength
shorter than the wavelength .lambda..sub.P1 of the first pump light
by the amount corresponding to the Raman shift of the amplifier
fiber 1.
[0072] When the second pump light (having a wavelength of
.lambda..sub.P2) is also inputted from the optical signal output
end 2, a degree of freedom in controlling the intensity
distribution of the first pump light (having a wavelength of
.lambda..sub.P1) along the longitudinal direction of the optical
fiber 1 can be increased, with the result that the intensity
distribution of the optical signal along the longitudinal direction
of the optical fiber 1 can easily be controlled. As is in the
multi-stage relay effected by the amplifier of distributed type, in
a case where the noise property is optimized under a condition that
the input and output levels of the optical signal are to be
regulated, this method achieves excellent effect.
[0073] FIG. 8 is a graph showing intensity distribution of the
optical signal along the longitudinal direction of the optical
fiber 1 shown in FIG. 7. In this graph, a curve a indicates the
intensity distribution of the optical signal when the optical
signal in the optical fiber 1 is amplified by a conventional Raman
amplification method, a curve b indicates the intensity
distribution of the optical signal when the optical signal is
amplified by the Raman amplification method according to the first
embodiment of the present invention, and a curve c indicates the
intensity distribution of the optical signal when the optical
signal is amplified by the Raman amplification method according to
the second embodiment of the present invention. From this graph, it
can be seen that, since the minimum level of the optical signal on
the way of the optical fiber 1 is greater when the Raman
amplification method according to the first embodiment in
comparison with the conventional amplifying method, good noise
property can be obtained. Further, when the Raman amplification
method according to the second embodiment is used, the minimum
level of the optical signal is maintained to a higher value in
comparison with the Raman amplification method according to the
first embodiment, with the result that the noise property is
further improved. Also in the Raman amplification method according
to the first embodiment, by adjusting the intensities of the first
and second pump lights, the minimum level of the optical signal can
be made equal to that in the Raman amplification method according
to the second embodiment. However, in an example shown in FIG. 9,
since pump power required in total is smaller when the Raman
amplification method according to the second embodiment is used,
more excellent efficiency can be obtained. FIG. 9 is a graph
showing comparison result of optical signal powers between a case
where the Raman amplification method according to the first
embodiment is used and a case where the Raman amplification method
according to the second embodiment is used. In this graph, a curve
a indicates the optical signal power when the first pump light is
100 mW and the second pump light is 1100 mW in the Raman
amplification method according to the first embodiment, and a curve
b indicates the optical signal power when the first pump light is
25 mW and the second pump light is 300 mW.times.2 in the Raman
amplification method according to the second embodiment.
[0074] FIG. 10 is a graph showing comparison result of the
intensity distributions of the optical signal along the
longitudinal direction of the optical fiber when wavelength
intervals of the first and second pump lights are differentiated
under a condition that the input and output levels and minimum
level of the optical signal become equal in the Raman amplification
method according to the second embodiment. In this graph, a curve a
indicates a case where the wavelength .lambda..sub.P1 of the first
pump light is 1450 nm and the wavelength .lambda..sub.P2 of the
second pump light is 1350 nm (i.e. when the wavelength intervals
are Raman shift), and a curve b indicates a case where the
wavelength .lambda..sub.P1 of the first pump light is 1450 nm and
the wavelength .lambda..sub.P2 of the second pump light is 1325 nm
(i.e. when the wavelength intervals are deviated from Raman shift).
From the graph, it can be seen that the maximum level of the
optical signal can be reduced by deviating the wavelength intervals
of the first and second pump lights from the Raman shift, thereby
reducing the deterioration of the transmission property due to
non-linearity in the optical fiber. The reason is that, since the
gain coefficient to which the first pump light is subjected becomes
small, the intensity distribution of the first pump light along the
longitudinal direction of the optical fiber becomes gentle, with
the result that the intensity distribution of the optical signal
along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber also becomes
gentle. FIG. 11 is a graph showing the intensity distribution of
the first pump light under the condition shown in FIG. 10. In this
graph, a curve a indicates the intensity distribution of the first
pump light when the wavelength .lambda..sub.P1 of the first pump
light is 1450 nm and the wavelength .lambda..sub.P2 of the second
pump light is 1350 nm, and a curve b indicates the intensity
distribution of the first pump light when the wavelength
.lambda..sub.P1 of the first pump light is 1450 nm and the
wavelength .lambda..sub.P2 of the second pump light is 1325 nm.
From this graph, it can be seen that the intensity distribution of
the first pump light along the longitudinal direction of the
optical fiber becomes gentle by deviating the wavelength intervals
of the first and second pump lights from the Raman shift.
[0075] In the Raman amplification method according to the second
embodiment, while an example that the second pump lights having the
same wavelength (.lambda..sub.P2) are inputted from the optical
signal input end 3 and optical signal output end 2 was explained,
it is not necessary that two second pump lights inputted from the
optical signal input end 3 and optical signal output end 2 have the
same wavelength and/or the same power. Such wavelength and/or power
can be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the intensity
distribution of the optical signal to be achieved along the
longitudinal direction of the optical fiber.
[0076] (Third Embodiment)
[0077] A Raman amplification method according to a third embodiment
of the present invention will now be explained with reference to
FIG. 12. A fundamental construction of the third embodiment is
similar to that of the second embodiment. The difference is that,
as shown in FIG. 12, the first pump lights (having a wavelength of
.lambda..sub.P1) are inputted not only from the optical signal
output end 2 but also from the input end 3. Also in this case,
similar to the first and second embodiments, the wavelength
.lambda..sub.P2 of the second pump light can be selected to be
shorter than the wavelength .lambda..sub.P1 of the first pump light
or can be selected to a wavelength shorter than the wavelength
.lambda..sub.P1 of the first pump light by an amount corresponding
to Raman shift of the optical fiber 1 (amplifier fiber 1) or can be
selected to a wavelength slightly deviated from the wavelength
shorter than the wavelength .lambda..sub.P1 of the first pump light
by the amount corresponding to the Raman shift of the optical fiber
1.
[0078] When the first pump light (having a wavelength of
.lambda..sub.P1) is also inputted from the optical signal input end
3, since the intensity distributions of the first pump light
(having a wavelength of .lambda..sub.P1) and the second pump light
(having a wavelength of .lambda..sub.P2) along the longitudinal
direction of the optical fiber can be made more uniform, a
condition near the non-loss transmission line is apt to be
realized. However, since the first pump light is propagated in the
same direction as the optical signal, it is required that the light
source for the first pump light inputted from the input end 3 be
constituted by a semiconductor laser having less intensity noise
and the like.
[0079] FIG. 13 shows a conventional arrangement nearest to the
Raman amplification method according to the third embodiment. In
the Raman amplification method shown in FIG. 13, similar to the
Raman amplification method according to the third embodiment of the
present invention, since the first pump light is propagated in the
same direction as the optical signal, it is required that the light
source for the first pump light inputted from the input end 3 be
constituted by a semiconductor laser having less intensity noise
and the like.
[0080] FIG. 14 is a graph showing intensity distribution of the
optical signal along the longitudinal direction of the optical
fiber 1 when the conventional Raman amplification method is used
and when the Raman amplification method according to the second
embodiment is used and when the Raman amplification method
according to the third embodiment is used, respectively.
Incidentally, in any cases, the power of the pump light is
optimized so that the level variation width of the optical signal
becomes minimum. As apparent from this graph, by using the Raman
amplification method according to the third embodiment of the
present invention, the level variation width of the optical signal
in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 1 can be reduced
considerably.
[0081] FIG. 15 is a graph showing the intensity distribution of the
first pump light along the longitudinal direction of the optical
fiber 1 under the condition shown in FIG. 14. From this graph, it
can be seen that the reason why the level variation of the optical
signal is small in the Raman amplification method according to the
third embodiment is that the level variation of the first pump
light is small.
[0082] FIG. 16 is a graph showing comparison of difference in relay
distance when the level variation widths of the optical fiber are
set to be substantially the same. From this graph, it can be seen
that, in order to realize the variation width same as the level
variation width (FIG. 14) of the optical signal realized in the
Raman amplification method according to the third embodiment, the
relay distance must be shortened to 20 km in the conventional Raman
amplification method and be shortened to 25 km in the Raman
amplification method according to the second embodiment.
[0083] (Fourth Embodiment)
[0084] In order to optimize the noise property, it is desirable to
achieve high output of the pump light of the Raman amplifier and it
is advantageous that the power ranges of the first and second pump
lights are great. In this case, one or both pump lights can be
obtained from a wavelength division multiplexing pump light source
constituted by a pumping semiconductor laser having a plurality of
oscillating wavelengths (for example, refer to "Electronics
Letters", vol. 34, pp. 2145-2146, written by Y. Emori et al and
published in 1998). When such a pump source is used, it is required
that the wavelength of the pump source be selected so that the peak
wavelength of gain coincides with the wavelength of the optical
signal. For example, when a pump source multiplexing wavelengths
1435 nm, 1450 nm, 1465 nm and 1480 nm is used, since the gain peak
wavelength is located in the vicinity of the wavelength of 1570 nm,
it is so set that the wavelength of the optical signal is included
within such wavelength band.
[0085] When the wavelength division multiplexing pump source is
used, there arises a phenomenon in which the effective gain
coefficient is changed in the longitudinal direction of the optical
fiber. Regarding this, although the gain coefficient in the optical
signal wavelength becomes the sum of coefficients based on the
respective pump lights, since attenuation ratios of the respective
pump lights are different, the performance will differ from that
when the multiplexing is not effected. The reason why the
attenuation ratios are different is based upon the wavelength
dependency of the loss coefficient and Raman amplification effect
between the pump lights. Accordingly, by appropriately selecting
the wavelengths to be multiplexed, the distribution of the gain
coefficient along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber
can be controlled.
[0086] (Fifth Embodiment)
[0087] When the wavelength division multiplexing pump light is used
as the first pump light for Raman-amplifying the optical signal,
since the Raman effects are generated between the respective pump
lights, the attenuation ratio of the pump light having short
wavelength becomes greater than that of the pump light having long
wavelength (refer to "Photonics Technology Letters", pp. 530-532,
vol. 11, FIG. 5, written by H. Kidorf et al). Thus, the noise
property of the wavelength band to which the gain is subjected from
the pump light having short wavelength is worsened more than the
wavelength band to which the gain is subjected from the pump light
having long wavelength. For example, if a C-band (1530-1565 nm) and
an L-band (1570-1610 nm) are Raman-amplified simultaneously,
although pump light having wavelength near 1450 nm and pump light
having wavelength near 1490 nm are used, due to the Raman effect
between the pump lights, the attenuation ratio of the pump light
having wavelength of about 1450 nm becomes greater than the other,
with the result that the noise property of the C-band becomes worse
more than that of the L-band. In this case, by setting the
wavelength of the second pump light so that the gain for the pump
light having wavelength of about 1450 nm becomes greater than the
gain for the pump light having wavelength of about 1490 nm, effect
for improving the noise property of the C-band can be greater than
effect for improving the noise property of the L-band. As a result,
it is possible to eliminate a difference in noise property between
the C-band and the L-band.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 17, by selecting the wavelength of the
second pump light to a wavelength slightly shorter than the
wavelength shorter than 1450 nm by the amount corresponding to the
Raman shift of the amplifier fiber, the gain to which the pump
light having the wavelength of 1490 nm is subjected becomes smaller
than the gain to which the pump light having the wavelength of 1450
nm is subjected (refer to FIG. 18). Further, in the Raman amplifier
using the wavelength division multiplexing pump source, by
appropriately selecting the wavelength interval and wavelength
arrangement, any gain shape can be realized. Accordingly, by using
the wavelength division multiplexing pump source for the second
pump light, the gain shape for wavelength of the first pump light
can be set freely, with the result that the wavelength dependency
of the noise property of the signal band amplified by the first
pump light can be controlled. FIG. 19 shows an example of the gain
shape for the wavelength of the first pump light when the
wavelength division multiplexing pump source is udsed for the
second pump light. In FIG. 19, the difference in gain between the
pump light having the wavelength of 1450 nm and the pump light
having the wavelength of 1490 nm is further reduced. In particular,
when the first pump light is multiplexed with relatively narrow
wavelength interval (for example, about 15 nm), if the gain shape
can be adjusted by the second pump light, the wavelength dependency
of the noise property of the signal band can be controlled more
minutely. The reason is that the gain profile of the signal band is
comprised of the sum of gain profiles obtained from the plural pump
lights.
[0089] (Sixth Embodiment)
[0090] In order to suppress the level variation of the optical
signal, the level variation of the first pump light may be
minimized as less as possible. In the conventional Raman
amplification method, the level variation of the first pump light
was caused by the propagation loss and could not be controlled. In
the embodiments of the Raman amplification method of the present
invention described above, the level variation of the first pump
light is more reduced than the conventional method, by using the
Raman gain to which the first pump light is subjected from the
second pump light thereby to change the effective loss of the first
pump light along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber.
However, the level variation of the second pump light is still
based upon the propagation loss and, therefore, cannot be
controlled. In a six embodiment of the present invention, by
introducing third pump light for Raman-amplifying the second pump
light, the level variation of the second pump light can be further
reduced, with the result that the level variation s of the first
pump light and the optical signal can be expected to be
reduced.
[0091] (Seventh Embodiment)
[0092] As well-known fact, it is known that the soliton in the
non-loss optical transmission line can maintain its wave form not
only in a case where the wavelength of the optical signal is single
but also in case of the wavelength division multiplexing system
(for example, refer to "Soliton propagation in long fibers with
periodically compensated loss, Journal of Quantum Electronics",
vol. QE-22, No. 1, written by L. F. Mollenauer et al and published
in 1986). Further, in case of soliton having single wavelength,
even in the transmission line having loss, it has been proved
theoretically and experimentally that the transmission can be
effected as soliton so long as the loss is compensated by optical
direct amplification (for example, refer to "Numerical study of
optical solution transmission amplified periodically by the
stimulated Raman process, Applied Optics", Vol. 23, No. 19, pp.
3302-3309, written by A. Hasegawa and published in 1984,
"Experimental demonstration of solution propagation in long fibers:
loss compensated by Raman gain, Optics Letters", Vol. 10, No. 5,
pp. 229-231, written by L. F. Mollenauer et al and published in
1985, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,921). In the past, although it was
considered that this is possible even in the wavelength division
multiplexing systems (for example, refer to Japanese Patent No.
2688350 and "Wavelength division multiplexing with solutions in
ultra-long distance transmission using lumped amplifiers, Journal
of Lightwave Technology", Vol. 9, No. 3, written by L. F.
Mollenauer et al and published in 1991), later, it has been proved
that, in the wavelength division multiplexing systems, the soliton
communication cannot be realized so long as the proper setting is
not effected (for example, refer to "Pseudo-phase-matched four-wave
mixing in solution wavelength-division multiplexing transmission,
Optics Letters", Vol. 21, No. 6, written by P. V. Mamyshev et al
and published in 1996). Further, as one of solitons, there is a
technique called as "dispersion compensated soliton" which has
widely been used because practical wavelength division multiplexing
transmission is possible. However, unlike to the pure soliton,
since the pulse broadening is generated on the way of the
propagation, non-linear effect generated due to forward and
backward overlapping of bits causes non-reversible wave form
distortion.
[0093] Some known literatures describe that the pure wavelength
division multiplexing soliton communication is possible by using an
optical transmission line in which dispersion is reduced in
accordance with loss of the optical transmission line. However,
such a method is hard to be put to a practical use since not only
existing optical transmission lines cannot be utilized but also
control of the dispersion of the optical transmission line is
complicated and difficult.
[0094] On the other hand, it is expected that the pure wavelength
division multiplexing soliton can be propagated by realizing an
optical transmission line very similar to the non-loss transmission
line by using distributed amplification such as Raman
amplification. However, since it was required that the pump sources
be installed with relatively short distance or interval in order to
realize such an optical transmission line at the conventional
technical level, this was not practical. As mentioned above, by
using the Raman amplification method according to the present
invention, the optical transmission line more resemble to the
non-loss transmission line can be realized through longer distance,
in comparison with the conventional techniques. Accordingly, in the
wavelength division multiplexing soliton communication using this
optical transmission line, it is expected that transmission
property is improved greatly in comparison with the conventional
communications. FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of a wavelength
division multiplexing soliton communication system using the
optical transmission line to which the Raman amplification method
according to the third embodiment of the present invention is
applied. In this system, since the maximum distance of a
transmission line section is determined by selecting how extent the
optical transmission line is resembled to the non-loss transmission
line, i.e., how amount the allowable value of the level variation
of the optical signal is given, each section is formed with shorter
distance and the entire method is constructed by interconnecting
plural sections.
Industrial Availability
[0095] The first Raman amplification method according to the first
aspect of the present invention achieves the following effects:
[0096] {circle over (1)} Since the first and second pump light
exist simultaneously in the amplifier fiber, the first pump lights
is subjected to Raman amplification from the second pump light.
Thus, in comparison with the case where there is no second pump
light, the intensity of the first pump light becomes greater in the
vicinity of the optical signal input end, with the result that the
deterioration of the S/N ratio at the signal input side is
suppressed, thereby improving the noise properties of the
transmission system and the amplifier.
[0097] {circle over (2)} The noise property can be optimized by
properly selecting the power division, wavelength interval and
pumping scheme of the first and second pump lights in accordance
with the length of the amplifier fiber and the attenuation
constants of the optical signal and the pump lights and by
voluntarily controlling the intensity distribution (along the
longitudinal direction) of the first pump light for
Raman-amplifying the optical signal.
[0098] {circle over (3)} Since the second pump light is inputted
from the optical signal input end, the intensity of the second pump
light in the vicinity of the optical signal input end can be made
greater in comparison with the case where the second pump light is
inputted from the optical signal output end. Accordingly, the gain
to which the first pump light is subjected from the second pump
light in the vicinity of the optical signal input end can be
increased efficiently, thereby improving the noise property of the
Raman amplifier efficiently.
[0099] In the second Raman amplification method according to the
second aspect, the following effect can be achieved, as well as the
above effects. That is to say, since the second pump light is also
inputted from the optical signal output end, the degree of freedom
when the intensity distribution of the first pump light along the
longitudinal direction of the optical fiber is controlled is
increased, with the result that the intensity distribution of the
optical signal along the longitudinal direction of the optical
fiber can easily be controlled. Under the condition that the input
and output levels of the optical signal are regulated (as is in the
multi-stage relay of the amplifier of distributed type), it is
effective to optimize the noise property.
[0100] In the third Raman amplification method according to the
third aspect, the following effects can be achieved, as well as the
effects of the second Raman amplification method:
[0101] {circle over (1)} Since the first pump light for
Raman-amplifying the optical signal is also inputted from the
optical signal input end of the amplifier fiber, the intensity of
the first pump light in the vicinity of the optical signal input
end can easily be increased, in comparison with the first and
second Raman amplification methods. Thus, the noise property of the
Raman amplifier can be improved more efficiently.
[0102] {circle over (2)} Since the first and second pump lights are
inputted from both optical signal input and output ends, the
intensity distribution of the first pump light can be made more
uniform along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, in
comparison with the first and second Raman amplification methods.
Thus, the condition resemble to the non-loss transmission line can
be easily realized.
[0103] In the fourth Raman amplification method according to the
fourth aspect, the following effect can be achieved, as well as the
effects of the first to third Raman amplification methods. That is
to say, since the second pump light has the wavelength shorter than
the wavelength of the first pump light by the amount corresponding
to the Raman shift of the amplifier fiber, the Raman gain to which
the first pump light is subjected from the second pump light
becomes maximum, thereby improving the noise property
efficiently.
[0104] In the fifth Raman amplification method according to the
fifth aspect, the following effect can be achieved, as well as the
effects of the first to third Raman amplification methods. That is
to say, since the Raman amplification band of the second pump light
is not overlapped with the wavelength band of the optical signal,
the unevenness of the intensity of the second pump light propagated
in the same direction as the optical signal is not overlapped with
the signal wave form, with the result that the noise is hard to be
generated and the propagation property is enhanced.
[0105] In the sixth Raman amplification method according to the
sixth aspect, since the wavelength of the second pump light is
selected to the wavelength slightly deviated from the wavelength
shorter than the wavelength of the first pump light by the amount
corresponding to the Raman shift of the amplifier fiber, the gain
coefficient of the Raman gain to which the first pump light is
subjected from the second pump light can be reduced voluntarily. By
utilizing this means, since the degree of freedom when the
intensity distribution of the first pump light along the
longitudinal direction of the optical fiber is controlled is
increased, the noise property can easily be optimized even under
the condition that the input and output levels of the amplifier are
regulated.
[0106] In the seventh Raman amplification method according to the
seventh aspect, since the multiplex light source is used for one or
both of the first and second pump lights, pump lights having high
output can be obtained, which is convenient to optimize the noise
property. Particularly when the wavelength division multiplexing
pump source comprised of plural wavelengths is used for the first
pump light, by properly selecting the wavelength of the second pump
light, the wavelength dependency of the noise property of the
optical signal can also be controlled. Further, when the wavelength
division multiplexing pump source is used for the second pump
light, the wavelength dependency of the noise property of the
optical signal can be controlled more freely.
[0107] In the eighth Raman amplification method according to the
eighth aspect, since the semiconductor laser is used for the light
source of the first pump light, the following effect can be
achieved. When the first pump light and the optical signal are
propagated in the same direction, the unevenness of intensity of
the pump light is overlapped with the unevenness of the gain and
the overlapped unevenness is overlapped with the optical signal to
generate the intensity noise of the optical signal, thereby
deteriorating the propagation property. However, in general, since
the semiconductor laser has less intensity unevenness, such
intensity noise can be suppressed.
[0108] In the ninth Raman amplification method according to the
ninth aspect, since the third pump light is introduced into the
transmission line to Raman-amplify the second pump light thereby
reduce the effective propagation loss of the second pump light, in
comparison with the case where the third pump light is not
inputted, the level unevenness of the second pump light along the
longitudinal direction is reduced, and, thus, the level unevenness
of the first pump light and the optical signal along the
longitudinal direction can also be reduced. Accordingly, the
condition more resemble to the non-loss transmission line in which
the intensity of the optical signal is uniform in the propagating
direction can be realized.
[0109] In the first optical signal transmission method according to
the present invention, since the deterioration of the S/N ratio and
the wave form deterioration due to the non-linear effect can be
relaxed simultaneously by propagating the optical signal in the
longitudinal direction of the optical transmission line with
substantially constant level by using one of the first to ninth
Raman amplification methods, the optical communication method
having transmission property superior to the conventional property
can be realized.
[0110] In the second optical signal transmission method according
to the present invention, the following effects can be achieved, as
well as the effect obtained by the first optical signal
transmission method:
[0111] {circle over (1)} In order to permit the wavelength division
multiplexing transmission by using the pure soliton, it is required
to use the transmission line in which dispersion is reduced in
accordance with the loss of the transmission line. The reason is
that the dispersion of the transmission line must have a value in
accordance with the peak power of the soliton pulse in order to
maintain the soliton wave form. On the other hand, in the optical
signal transmission method according to the present invention,
since the optical signal is propagated in the longitudinal
direction of the optical transmission line with substantially
constant level by using one of the first to ninth Raman
amplification methods, it is not required that the dispersion of
the transmission line be changed. This means that the pure
wavelength division multiplexing soliton communication can be
achieved by using the existing transmission line which could not
achieve such communication.
[0112] {circle over (2)} As one of solitons, there is a technique
called as "dispersion compensated soliton" capable of achieving the
practical wavelength division multiplexing transmission. Although
this technique is strong to change in peak power of the soliton
pulse in comparison with the pure soliton, also regarding this
technique, it is desirable that the level of the optical signal is
maintained to substantially constant along the longitudinal
direction of the transmission line. Accordingly, the optical signal
transmission method according to the present invention is effective
to this technique.
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