Zero-dispersion wavelength uniformity and four-wave mixing in optical fiber

The efficiency of four-wave mixing (FWM) in optical fiber is maximum with optimal phase matching at the zero-dispersion wavelength, but this wavelength can vary along the fiber's length. In this paper, we describe measurements of partially degenerate four-wave mixing efficiency in a 10 km fiber with varying /spl Lambda//sub o/. In partially degenerate four-wave mixing the pump provides two of the four optical waves at the same optical frequency. The other two waves are the probe and the generated antiStokes light.