Dynamic post dispersion optimization at 40 Gb/s using a tunable fiber Bragg grating

A compact tunable fiber Bragg grating that uses distributed thin-film heaters on the surface of the fiber is used to dynamically optimize the post dispersion compensation of a multi-span 40-Gb/s nonreturn-to-zero (NRZ) transmission system. Dynamic post dispersion compensation with this device enables the system to operate over a much wider range of launch power than is otherwise possible with simple, fixed compensation using dispersion compensating fiber.