Extending the Gain Bandwidth of Combined Raman-Parametric Fiber Amplifiers Using Highly Nonlinear Fiber

The authors demonstrate extended flat gain bandwidth by combining Raman and parametric processes. The increase in bandwidth is accomplished by extending the Raman gain region to the longer wavelength side of the Raman gain by using parametric gain. Two different configurations of the amplifier are investigated. The associated gain and bit error performance is characterized. A gain of about 15 dB, with gain flatness of 5 dB is measured.