Local fractional population measurement of the upper state /sup 4/I/sub 13/2/ of an erbium-doped fiber amplifier

A method of measuring the local fractional population of the upper state /sup 4/I/sub 13/2/ of an erbium-doped amplifier is investigated. The local fractional population is related theoretically by EDF parameters to the local spontaneous emission (SE) power that leaks laterally from the EDF. The proportional constant between the fractional population and the detected SE power is determined experimentally by measuring saturated spontaneous emission power. The local fractional population of a 19.7 m-long EDF, pumped with a 1.48 mu m light and injected with a 1.552 mu m signal light, was measured by detecting the local SE power with a Ge photodiode having a diameter of 2 mm. The measured fractional population coincides with the calculated value.<
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