SBS threshold of a fiber with a Brillouin frequency shift distribution

The SBS threshold of a fiber with Brillouin frequency shift distribution along its length is investigated theoretically and experimentally. We obtain a simple equation for estimating the SBS threshold from the effective gain coefficient, which is calculated by using the Brillouin frequency distribution along its length. The dopant concentration dependence of the Brillouin frequency shift are measured for fibers with an F and GeO/sub 2/ codoped silica core. The evaluated frequency shift per unit of dopant concentration is 277 MHz/wt% and 45 MHz/wt% for F and GeO/sub 2/, respectively, at 1.55 /spl mu/m. The SBS threshold of a fiber with a nonuniform Brillouin frequency shift distribution prepared by the VAD method is investigated experimentally. The fiber exhibits 7 dB improvement in its SBS threshold. This value is in good agreement with one estimated by calculating the effective gain coefficient. This simple equation will be useful for estimating the SBS threshold of various fibers.