Cross-phase modulation in an L-band EDFA

We measure the cross talk in a wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) system arising from cross-phase modulation (XPM) in an L-band erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA). This effect has the potential of becoming the dominant nonlinear crosstalk mechanism in L-band WDM systems using standard fiber. We discuss how appropriate amplifier design can reduce the XPM in the EDFA.