The fiber-Brillouin ring for low noise amplification, switching and channel selection

Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in low loss optical fibers is a mechanism in signal depletion through undesirable back reflection. The authors' investigations have pointed to a solution based on the fiber Brillouin ring. Such a configuration brings about high finesse, leading to extremely low SBS onset threshold, thus low noise, and the possibility of multiple Stokes and antiStokes line generation for SBS bandwidth broadening. The scattering property of SBS can be used by proper configuration of the wave interaction geometry for signal switching and channel selection, especially in densely packed WDM (wavelength division multiplexed) format. The broadband fiber Raman amplifier often experiences pump depletion due to the onset of SBS, which then produces undesirable noise. The fiber Brillouin ring, when installed in line, can suppress the induced SBS and also remove SBS noise, leading to a broadband fiber ring enhanced fiber Raman amplifier.<>