Optimum Pumping Configuration for L-band EDFA incorporating Selective Wavelength Auxiliary ASE from C-band EDFA

We present a thorough investigation of the optimum pumping configuration for L-band EDFA in order to maximize signal gain and minimize noise figure with forward and backward ASE pumping, by incorporating the selective property of the pump wavelength band from C-band EDFA section. A simulation of three-level rate equation has been carried out using 980 nm primary pump, 1570 nm as Lband signal wavelength and three auxiliary pumping methods for five different pumping configurations. We have provided insights into how best to add the ASE into the L-band EDFA by investigating five possible pumping configurations. It is observed that Narrowband Backward ASE (N-BASE) from C-band (1520-1540 nm) by counter directionally pumped into L-band EDFA with primary pump (980 nm) co-propagating with signal wavelength (1570 nm) gives better overall performance . Gain improvement of as high as 14 dB gain was attained in L-band signal (1570 nm) with noise figure below to 5.5 dB. These results will be important in designing the wideband EDFA for WDM and DWDM Optical fiber communication systems.