64/spl times/10 Gb/s DWDM system using a two-pump fiber optical parametric pre-amplifier

We have numerically shown that a two-pump fiber optical parametric amplifier can be used as a preamplifier in dense wavelength division multiplexing transmission. We observe sensitivities of -33.5 dBm (-36.5 dBm if we discount 3 dB coupler) comparable to erbium amplifiers, very low ripple and no transient response when operated in the unsaturated regime. Experimental studies on the performance of 2P-FOPAs are necessary to confirm the simulation results presented.